Sabino Arana

Sabino Policarpo Arana Goiri (in Spanish), Sabin Polikarpo Arana Goiri (in Basque), or Arana ta Goiri'taŕ Sabin (self-styled) (26 January 1865 – 25 November 1903), was a Spanish writer and the founder of the Basque Nationalist Party (PNV). Considered the father of Basque nationalism, he promoted and helped standardize the Basque language, creating a distinct orthography that would later form the basis for Standard Basque (with some alterations), while also coining many neologisms, both of which he believed would help give the language the flexibility and prestige required to not be displaced by Castillian and French. More controversially, he was also a proponent of many sexist and racist ideas, including some beliefs described as proto-fascist, which have spurred criticism from both opponents and supporters of Basque nationalism alike.

He died in Sukarrieta at the age of 38 after falling ill with Addison's disease during time spent in prison. He had been charged with treason for attempting to send a telegram to President Theodore Roosevelt, in which he praised the United States for helping Cuba gain independence from Spain.