Agustín Barrios was a Paraguayan guitarist and composer. Barrios born May 5, 1885 in San Juan Bautista de las Misiones, Paraguay. He began to show an interest in musical instruments, particularly the guitar, before he reached his teens. At the age of 13, he went to Asunción in 1901, to attend a university with a scholarship in music. After leaving college, Barrios dedicated his life to music and writing poems. He composed more than 300 songs for which he would first write the lyrics and then the guitar accompaniment. Barrios made several friends during his multiple trips across South America. He was known for giving his friends and fans signed copies of his poems. Barrios died and was buried in the Cementerio de Los Ilustres in San Salvador, El Salvador on August 7, 1944.
Interesting Facts:
- He was one of the youngest university students in Paraguayan history.
- Apart from his studies in the college's music department, Barrios was also well appreciated by members of the college's mathematics, journalism and literature departments.
- Barrios was the first guitar player in recording a disc.
Source: Wikipedia