Juan Zorrilla de San Martín
Juan Zorrilla de San Martín (December 28, 1855 – November 3, 1931) was a Catholic Uruguayan epic poet – he is referred to as the "National Poet of Uruguay" – and political figure. Well-known poems. Two of his most famous poems are "Tabaré" (the national poem for Uruguayans) and "La leyenda patria" (The Fatherland Legend). He is author of the "Hymn to the Tree" ("Himno al Arbol") a well-known Spanish poem later made a song in several Latin-American countries. Personal background. The internationally well known sculptor José Luis Zorrilla de San Martín was his son  and father of internationally known actress China Zorrilla. As a political figure Juan Zorrilla de San Martín served as a Deputy for Montevideo from 1888 to 1891 and served as Ambassador several periods. He was twice widowed, and left 13 children when he died. His grandson, Alejandro Zorrilla de San Martín, was to serve as a prominent Deputy, Minister and Senator. One of his several granddaughters became the most famous actress of Uruguay, Concepción Zorrilla, A.K.A. China Zorrilla. She was a disciple of Margarita Xirgu and moved to Argentina in 1971 where she had a distinguished career in theater, TV  and movies also in Spain and other Southamerican countries. Her big successes in movies, Besos en la frente, Esperando la carroza (Waiting for the Hearse), Elsa & Fred and Conversations with Mother, for which she won the Moscow Film Festival award for best actress. His granddaughter Guma Zorrilla was a theater costume designer. Honours. His house in Montevideo is now a museum. He was featured in the 20,000 pesos banknote "(1989-1991)", and is featured on the 20 pesos note "(since 1994)".