Alejandro Tapia y Rivera (November 12, 1826-July 19, 1882) born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is considered to be the "Father of Puerto Rican Literture". It is said that no other person contributed more directly or indirectly to the cultural progress of Puerto Rico then Tapia. Tapia was also a fervent abolitionist and women's right advocate.
He received his primary education in San Juan with the guidance of the reowned educator Rafael Cordero, who served as an inspiration early in his life.
Tapia worked for the State Department when an unexpected event took place. A Spanish Army Artillery Officer challenged him to a duel, a chaellage which he accepted. The consequences of this action was that Tapia was deported to Spain. He completed his studies in literature in Madrid (1850-1852), and joined the "Society of the Recollection of Historical Documents, pertaining to Puerto Rico".
Tapia organized and filed in order those important 16th and 17th century documents. He published his first important work called "The Historical Library of Puerto Rico" regarding those documents and his findings. With this publication a new age of historiagrafy in Puerto Rico was born.
Ammong Tapia's works were: "La Palma del Cacique" (The Palm of the Chief)(1852), "[[|Roberto Cofrsi|Cofresi]]" (The Pirate Cofresi)(1876), "Vasco Nuñez de Balboa"(1872). He also wrote the biographies Jose Campeche (1854) and Ramon Power y Giralt (1873). In 1854 he wrote the opera "Guartones". Tapia wrote his memoirs, which were to be posthumously published in 1927.
Tapia was amember of the Progressive Action Political Party.
Among his cultural postions was his membership of the "Puerto Rican Intelectual Protective Society". He was the director of "Youth Museum" in Ponce. Tapia was also the founder and first president of the "Ateneo Puertorriqueño".
Among Tapias many awards and honors are the "Medal of the Royal Knight" and the "Distinguished Order of Carlos III" from Spain.
Aljandro Tapia y Rivera died in the City of San Juan, Puerto in July 19, 1882 while giving a conference at the Ateneo Puertorriqueño.
His memory has been honored on Puerto Rico. There are many schools and avenues named after Tapia.
Also See
- For more on Famous Puerto Ricans click here:List of Puerto Ricans