MAITIN, Jose Antonio (mi-teen'), Venezuelan poet, born in Porto Cabello in 1798; died in Choroni in 1874. In consequence of persecution, he emigrated to Havana, and there he made the acquaintance of Fernandez Madrid, who taught him to cultivate science and poetry. In 1824 he returned to his native country, and in 1826 he was appointed by Santos Michelena attache to the legation at, London. On his return he began to write poetry, and in 1835-'8 published in Valencia two dramas in verse, which were favorably received by the critics, but are not included in a collection of his poems that appeared later. In 1841 he began to publish poems in the literary papers. He afterward retired to the valley of Choroni, where his poetical talent found new inspiration, and where he spent the rest of his days. He published a collection of his best poems under the title of "Ecos de Choroni" (1844), and an edition of all his works, entitled " Obras poeticas de Jose Antonio Maitin, comprendiendo todas las publicadas por el autor en diversas epocas, y algunas ineditas" (Caracas, 1851). The general tone of Maitin's verses is plaintive, but his style is elevated and pure.