Roman Baldorioty de Castro
Román Baldorioty de Castro (born February 23, 1822 in Guaynabo , Puerto Rico , † September 30, 1889 in Ponce , Puerto Rico) was the most famous abolitionist on the island and campaigned for the right to self-determination in his homeland.
Life
Baldorioty came from a poor family. He received his education in the capital San Juan and was a student of Rafael Cordero . He studied with a scholarship in Spain and managed a degree in physics and mathematics at the Complutense University of Madrid . He also attended the central art school in Paris . In 1853 Baldorioty became a member of the liberal reform party. In addition to politics, he was also active in teaching. He taught botany and maritime science at the School of Commerce, Agriculture and Maritime Studies in San Juan .
From 1860 to 1865 he represented Puerto Rico as a member of the Spanish Parliament. He used his position to share his views on the abolition of slavery and the establishment of a constitution that would guarantee Puerto Ricans more political rights. In 1870 he was appointed representative of the Spanish court, where he earned his reputation as the "father of Puerto Rican autonomy". On November 19, 1872, together with Luis Padial , Julio Vizcarrondo and the Spanish Minister for Overseas, Segismundo Moret , he presented a draft for the abolition of slavery. On March 22, 1873, the Spanish government approved what became known as the Moret Law.
Upon his return to Puerto Rico in 1873, Baldorioty founded El Derecho (The Law) newspaper in Ponce . He also founded the weekly La Crónica , in which he could announce his ideas about the island's autonomy. In 1887 he became the president of the Autonomist Party of Puerto Rico, founded jointly with José de Diego, and appointed the young politician Antonio Rafael Barceló as secretary. Their party was one of the first ever in Puerto Rico. According to their credo, Puerto Rico should form its own government and have a representative in the Spanish parliament. The Spanish government viewed Baldorioty as a dangerous person and a dissident , which is why they imprisoned him in Fort San Felipe del Morro in San Juan. Although he was quickly released from prison, his health suffered badly from the brief imprisonment and he died shortly afterwards.
In Bayamón , Juana Díaz and San Germán , plazas are named after him. Several schools and a highway in Puerto Rico also bear his name.
Web links
| personal data | |
|---|---|
| SURNAME | Baldorioty de Castro, Roman |
| BRIEF DESCRIPTION | Puerto Rican abolitionist |
| DATE OF BIRTH | February 23, 1822 |
| PLACE OF BIRTH | Guaynabo , Puerto Rico |
| DATE OF DEATH | September 30, 1889 |
| Place of death | Ponce , Puerto Rico |