Happy Birthday, Joaquin Rodrigo! (1901-1999)

Did you know? Famed Spanish composer Joaquin Rodrigo was born on this day in 1901. He is best known for his guitar concertos, which helped introduce the guitar into the classical repertory. 

Rodrigo was blinded at age 3 from diphtheria, according to his biography. Diphtheria, while exceeding rare today, was common before the diphtheria vaccine was invented. Diphtheria causes a thick membrane to form over the mucous membranes, typically in the airways, which can cause death. It also can cause scarring of the conjunctiva (the membrane over the white part of the eye) and ulceration of the cornea. 

Did you also know? Beginning in 1939 (until ?) Rodrigo was the head of the artistic section of ONCE, the Spanish foundation for the blind. ONCE remains today a powerful global force helping the blind integrate into society.

 

image courtesy Wikimedia Commons