J. A. (José Antonio) Ferrer Fernández

Born in Andalusia in 1833 and later active in Barcelona, J. A. Ferrer Fernández — also known in Catalan as Josep Antoni Ferrer i Fernández — was part of the early Renaixença, the 19th-century revival of Catalan language and literature. Sources describe him as a writer, poet, and librettist, and note that he founded the liberal Catalan-language magazine El Café in Barcelona in 1859.

He wrote poems in Catalan and became known for several lyric and theatrical works connected with the patriotic mood of the African War. Among the best remembered are pieces created with music by Francesc Porcell, including works dedicated to the Battalion of Catalan Volunteers. His poem about his father, who died in war, was also included by Víctor Balaguer in the anthology Los trobadors moderns.

Ferrer Fernández spent his later years in Buenos Aires, where he died in January 1871. A surviving image associated with him appears to be the cover or illustration for one of his works rather than a true portrait, so a reliable personal portrait could not be confirmed.