Oswald Durand

Who was Oswald Durand?

Oswald Durand was a Haitian poet and politician, said to be "to Haiti what Shakespeare is to England and Dante to Italy." Among his most famous works are Choucoune, a lyrical poem praising the beauty of a Haitian woman, and Chant National, a lyrical historic poem which became as popular as the presidential hymn.

Born in Cap-Haïtien, Durand worked as a teacher before being elected to Congress in 1885, a position to which he was re-elected six times. He was involved with several periodicals and newspapers, serving as advisor, writer, and, in a few cases, founder.