Jenaro Gajardo Vera
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Jenaro Gajardo Vera (Traiguén, Malleco Province, Chile, November 18, 1919 – Santo Domingo, San Antonio Province, Chile, May 3, 1998) was a Chilean lawyer, painter and poet. He is most notable for his 1954 claim of ownership of the Moon.[1][2][3]
Jenaro Gajardo Vera was the sixth of ten brothers, son of medic Delfín Gajardo Merino and N. Vera.[citation needed] Although he worked as a painter and poet, Gajardo studied Spanish and law at University of Chile.[2]
In 1951 he moved to Talca to work as a lawyer. While there he founded the Telescopic Interplanetary Society (In Spanish, Sociedad Telescópica Interplanetaria). One of its purposes was to "create a committee to welcome the first extraterrestrial visitors [who arrive on the Earth]".[2] Bishop Manuel Larraín Errázuriz was a member of this Society, and thanks to his participation the organization managed to avoid mocking and criticism from local citizens.[2]
He published two essays, "Algunas cosas sencillas" (Some simple things) and "Copas de fuego" (Cups of fire), and also was the director of Grupos magazine. However, he is mostly known for his lunar claim.
