WikiPeru • The Encyclopedia of Peru
Playwright and actor
Novelist
Writer and poet
Volleyball player
Italian-Peruvian naturalist and geographer
Singer and percussionist
Last Inca emperor
Politician, former prime Minister
Journalist and TV host
Poet
Inca warrior
Actor and comedian
Biophysicist
Poet
Doctor and researcher
Businessman, Interbank group
Journalist and writer
Poet and writer
Singer and songwriter
Writer
Film director, Berlin Golden Bear winner
Football player
Writer and journalist
Doctor and scientist
Photograph
Chess player
Industrialist
Former general
Specialist in public health
Actress and singer
Afro-Peruvian music singer
Mathematician and engineer
Indigenous chronicler
Neurologist and anthropologist
Painter
Football player
National hero, military leader
Intellectual and reformer
Chef and entrepreneur
Fashion designer
Singer-songwriter
TV presenter
Marathon runner
Indigenous Peruvian chronicler
Theologian
Former national team captain
Economist and former health minister
Inca princess
Writer and television host
Folk musician
Poet and guerrilla
Former UN secretary-general
Chef, known for fusion cuisine
Football player
Peruvian aviation pioneer
Poet and artist
Marxist philosopher and writer
Industrialist and businessman
Novelist and ethnologist
Painter and muralist
Opera tenor
Fashion designer
Cardinal of Lima
Peruvian tennis player
Football coach
Leader of the indigenous rebellion
Military hero
War of the Pacific hero
The youngest mother in history
Politician
Creole music singer
Tennis player
Musician
Writer and politician
Politician and founder of the Christian Democratic Party
Founder of Sodalitium Christianae Vitae
Archaeologist and anthropologist
Military leader and politician
Television host
Actress and singer
Contemporary sculptor
Women’s rights activist
Beauty queen
Astrophysicist
Heroine of independence
Mathematician and archaeologist
Historian and anthropologist
Military figure and historical figure
Fashion photographer
Writer, Nobel Prize in Literature, Politician
Revolutionary leader
Environmental activist
Leader of the indigenous rebellion
Musician from Gaia band
War hero
Military leader and politician
Chef, known for Nikkei cuisine
Volleyball coach and former player
Environmental activist
Television personality
Writer
Football player
Epidemiologist and former health Minister
Inventor and aerospace pioneer
Soldier and inventor
Rock singer
Chef and co-owner of Central restaurant
Painter
Football player
TV presenter and actress
Actor
Writer and historian
Journalist and lawyer
Archaeologist, founder of Caral site
Monk and Saint
Saint, patron of Latin America
Physicist and engineer
World champion surfer
Actress
Oncologist
Singer, Latin Grammy winner
Former mayor of Lima
Singer
Actress
Former football player
Painter
Former football player
Painter
Inca leader
Archbishop, saint
Leader of the indigenous rebellion
Revolutionary indigenous leader
Diplomat and intellectual
Sculptor and painter
Political leader, founder of APRA
Lawyer and Former prime minister
Chef of Central restaurant
Former head of secret services
Popular singer
Fashion designer
Exotic music singer
Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo Gomero (1887-1967) is one of Peru’s most important figures in the fields of science, technology, and engineering. Born in Aija, Ancash region, he is recognized as one of the brightest Peruvian scientists of his time, with notable contributions to physics, engineering, and hydroelectric energy studies. His pioneering work laid the foundation for Peru’s scientific and technological development, and today, his name is synonymous with innovation and scientific excellence.
Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo was born on January 10, 1887, into a modest family in Aija. From a young age, he showed a strong curiosity and interest in natural sciences. He completed his primary and secondary education in Peru before pursuing higher education at the National University of San Marcos in Lima, where he studied mathematics, physics, and engineering.
After graduating, Antúnez de Mayolo decided to further his studies in Europe at prestigious institutions such as the University of Grenoble in France. There, he learned about the latest scientific advances in physics, particularly in fluid mechanics and electricity. This experience in Europe not only enriched his scientific knowledge but also allowed him to interact with some of the greatest minds of his time, deeply influencing his future research.
Upon returning to Peru, Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo applied his knowledge by focusing on hydroelectric engineering. He undertook several large-scale projects related to water management and hydroelectric energy, a field in which he excelled. He is particularly known for designing and overseeing the construction of several hydroelectric plants in Peru, contributing to the development of the country’s energy infrastructure.
One of his greatest achievements was the proposal for the Mantaro River hydroelectric project. This project, eventually realized decades after his proposal, became one of Peru’s main energy suppliers. Thanks to his vision, Antúnez de Mayolo helped the country harness its vast hydroelectric potential, playing a crucial role in Peru’s industrial development during the 20th century.
In addition to his work in engineering, Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo also made significant contributions to theoretical physics. One of his most notable achievements was his hypothesis regarding the existence of an elementary particle called the "neutrino." Although this particle was officially discovered by scientists like Wolfgang Pauli and Enrico Fermi, Antúnez de Mayolo is now recognized for having anticipated this discovery through his own research on subatomic particles.
He also conducted research on relativity and cosmic rays, areas of physics that were at the forefront of scientific knowledge in the early 20th century. Although his publications in these fields did not always receive the attention they deserved at the time, they are now considered important contributions to the development of physics in Peru and Latin America.
Throughout his career, Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo proved to be not only a brilliant scientist but also a visionary engineer and innovator. His multidisciplinary approach led him to explore various fields, from theoretical physics to practical engineering. This unique combination of skills allowed him to become an influential figure in Peru’s scientific and industrial development.
Antúnez de Mayolo also played a key role in founding several scientific institutions in Peru, notably the Peruvian Institute of Nuclear Energy. He always believed that Peru had the potential to become a leader in science and technology, and he dedicated his life to advancing this vision.
Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo passed away on April 20, 1967, but his scientific legacy lives on. His work paved the way for many Peruvian scientists who followed in his footsteps, and his name is now associated with infrastructure projects and research programs across the country. In 1987, the Peruvian government created the Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo Medal to honor outstanding contributions in the field of science and technology, perpetuating the memory of this exceptional man.
Santiago Antúnez de Mayolo remains an emblematic figure in Peruvian science and engineering. His contributions to fields as diverse as hydroelectric engineering, theoretical physics, and energy research not only transformed his country but also made him a pioneer of science in Latin America. His name is forever engraved in Peru’s history as a symbol of innovation and scientific progress.