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Dr. David Joaquín Guzmán (1843-1927) was an Salvadoran scientist, archeologist, museum curator and educator.

[edit] Early life and education

Son of the general Joaquín Eufrasio Guzmán, that was President of El Salvador, he became a Bachelor of Philosophy, at the University of San Carlos of Guatemala. During his university studies he adopted the principles of European liberalism. In 1862, he travelled to Europe and in 1869 he received the rank of Doctor of Medicine in Paris.

[edit] Career

In 1870 he returned to El Salvador, and the following year he was chosen to represent the Constituent National Assembly, summoned by the then president Santiago González. His service in the Constituent Assembly in the capital was a short one, and he soon returned to his native San Miguel where he dedicated himself to scientific research. He initiated a series of geological investigations and undertook the botanical studies of classifying the flora and the fauna of the north of San Miguel and Chalatenango.

In 1872, Guzmán served under the cabinet of President González, as an Undersecretary of Public Instruction and Outer Relations. In 1874 he helped establish the Escuela de Artes y Oficios de San Salvador (School of Arts and Offices) in San Salvador. That same year, when treating the epidemic of smallpox in some areas of the country, Guzmán headed the campaign of vaccination, promoted by the state.

In 1875, Guzmán and Darío González organized an expedition of geological investigation into residues of the Los Frailes River, southwest of Ilobasco. During this exploration, they discovered fossils of Mastodon.

Between 1881 and 1887, Guzmán worked as a university professor of medicine and botany at the University of El Salvador. On October 9 1883, on the initiative of Guzmán, president Rafael Zaldívar opened the National Museum of El Salvador, to display the national collections related to archaeology, history and fine arts. Being responsible for its establishment and much of its content, Guzmán became the first director of the museum. In 1886 he was elect deputy to the Constituent National Assembly summoned by Francisco Menéndez. In the Constituent Assembly, Guzmán promoted the adoption of legislation according to the liberal principles which he had encountered during his early period in Europe.

In 1891, Guzmán travelled to Costa Rica to head a scientific expedition. Between 1896 and 1898, he resided in Nicaragua, where on impulse, he founded an anthropology museum.

In 1916, Guzmán won a literary contest, summoned by the state under president Carlos Melendez, to create an Oration to the Salvadoran Flag.

During his life, Guzmán wrote journalistic poetry and articles that were compiled in various volumes. Most notably, his "Escogidas works" (Obras Escogidas) were published after his death. The museum that founded was named in its honor, the National Museum of Anthropology is named Dr. David Joaquin Guzmán".

[edit] External links

• Biografía en el sitio web del Ministerio de Relaciones Exteriores de El Salvador