Alberto Granado

Alberto Granado
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Name	Alberto Granado
Birth date	August 8, 1922
Birth place	Hernando, Córdoba Province, Argentina
Death date	March 5, 2011
Death place	Havana, Cuba
Occupation	Biochemist, writer

Alberto Granado was a biochemist and writer, best known for his friendship and travels with Che Guevara, which were later immortalized in The Motorcycle Diaries. Born in Hernando, Córdoba Province, Argentina, Granado developed a strong interest in science and medicine, inspired by the works of Louis Pasteur and Marie Curie. He pursued his passion for biochemistry at the University of Córdoba, where he met Che Guevara, and later worked at the Instituto Malbrán in Buenos Aires alongside René Favaloro.

● Early Life and Education

Granado's early life was marked by a strong emphasis on education, with his parents encouraging his curiosity and interest in science. He attended the University of Córdoba, where he studied biochemistry and pharmacology, and was influenced by the teachings of Gregorio Bermann and Bernardo Houssay. During his time at the university, Granado developed a close friendship with Che Guevara, who shared his passion for adventure and social justice. The two friends were also influenced by the works of Karl Marx and Vladimir Lenin, and were interested in the Cuban Revolution and the Spanish Civil War.

● Career

After completing his studies, Granado worked as a biochemist at the Instituto Malbrán in Buenos Aires, where he conducted research on virology and immunology alongside Julio Cortázar and Alejandro Korn. He later moved to Venezuela, where he worked at the Instituto de Salud Pública in Caracas, and collaborated with Rómulo Betancourt and Luis Beltrán Prieto Figueroa. Granado's work in biochemistry and public health took him to various countries, including Mexico, Guatemala, and Cuba, where he worked with Fidel Castro and Raúl Castro.

● The Motorcycle Diaries

In 1952, Granado embarked on a journey with Che Guevara across South America, traveling over 5,000 miles on a Norton 500cc motorcycle. The trip, which was later documented in The Motorcycle Diaries, took them through Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela, and exposed them to the poverty and inequality of the region. Along the way, they visited the Inca Trail, Machu Picchu, and the Amazon rainforest, and met with indigenous peoples and social activists, including Simón Bolívar and José de San Martín. The journey had a profound impact on both Granado and Guevara, shaping their views on social justice and politics.

● Personal Life

Granado's personal life was marked by his strong friendship with Che Guevara, which endured despite their differences in politics and ideology. He was also close friends with Fidel Castro and other leaders of the Cuban Revolution, including Camilo Cienfuegos and Juan Almeida Bosque. Granado married Delia Duque Duque, and had two children, Alberto Granado Jr. and Delia Granado. He was an avid reader and enjoyed the works of Gabriel García Márquez, Jorge Luis Borges, and Pablo Neruda.

● Later Life and Legacy

In his later years, Granado continued to work as a biochemist and writer, publishing several books on his travels and experiences. He was awarded the Order of the Aztec Eagle by the Mexican government and the Order of José Martí by the Cuban government. Granado's legacy as a biochemist and writer has been recognized by institutions such as the University of Havana and the National Academy of Sciences of Cuba. His friendship with Che Guevara and their journey across South America have been immortalized in The Motorcycle Diaries, which has been translated into over 20 languages and has sold millions of copies worldwide.

● Travels and Expeditions

Granado's travels and expeditions took him to over 20 countries, including China, Soviet Union, and United States. He visited the Great Wall of China, the Taj Mahal, and the Eiffel Tower, and met with leaders such as Mao Zedong, Nikita Khrushchev, and John F. Kennedy. Granado's experiences as a traveler and adventurer have been documented in his books, including Traveling with Che Guevara: The Making of a Revolutionary and The Granado-Guevara Trip: A Journey Across South America. He was a member of the Cuban Academy of Sciences and the Latin American Academy of Sciences, and collaborated with UNESCO and the World Health Organization on various projects. Category:Argentine biochemists