Science  People  Locations  Timeline
Index: A B C D E F G H I J K L M N O P Q R S T U V W X Y Z

Home > Roman Baldorioty de Castro


Román Baldorioty de Castro ( February 23, 1823- September 30, 1889), born in Guaynabo, Puerto Rico, distinguished himself as one of Puerto Rico's foremost abolitionist and spokesperson for the islands right to self-determination.

Baldorioty came from a poor family. He received his primary education in San Juan and was a student of the noted educator, Rafael Cordero.

Baldorioty, was granted a scholarship which he used for his studies in Spain. He graduated with a degree in Physics and Mathematical Sciences from the Central University of Madrid . He also studied in Paris where he attended the Central School of Arts .

In 1853, he became a member of the Liberal Reformist Party of Puerto Rico. Besides Politics, Baldorioty also loved teaching. He taught Botany and Maritime Sciences at the School of Commerce, Agriculture and Maritime Studies in San Juan.

In 1860, Baldorioty represented Puerto Rico as a delegate in the Spanish Parliament until 1865. He made the most of his position and voiced his views about the abolishment of slavery and the establishment of a constitution which would gurantee Puerto Ricans more political rights.

In 1870, he was named deputy to the Spanish Courts. There he continued to speak about his cause. Baldorioty became known as "The Father of Puerto Rican Autonomy".

Baldorioty, returned to Puerto Rico in 1873 and went to live in the City of Ponce. There he became the founder of the newspaper " El Derecho " (Our Rights). He also was the founder of a weekly paper called " La Crónica " in which he was able to express his ideas on autonomy for the island.

In March 22, 1873, Baldorioty was able to witness the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico.

In 1887, Baldorioty became the co-founder, along with José de DiegoJose de Diego ( 1866- 1921), born in the City of Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, was considered as one of the island's greatest speakers. he was also a poet and a fervent advocator for Puerto Rico's independence. Diego receieved his primary education in the City, and President of the " Autonomist Party of Puerto Rico . He named a young and upstarting politician, Antonio R. BarcelóAntonio R. Barcel ( April 15, 1868 October 15, 1938), born in the City of Fajardo, Puerto Rico, was a lawyer, businessman and the father of what was to become one of Puerto Rico's most prominent political families. As a youngster, Barcelo took an active i to the position of Secretary. This became one of Puerto Rico's first political parties. Its credo was that Puerto Rico should pick its own government and should have a representative in the Spanish Parliamnet.

The Spanish government however,considered Baldorioty a dangerous person and a dissenter and had him jailed in Fort San Felipe del MorroFort San Felipe del Morro —or El Castillo Del Morro in Spanish— is a sixteenth-century fort that lies on the northwestern-most point of the islet of San Juan, Puerto Rico. For many years, it guarded the entrance to San Juan bay, and defended the city from in San Juan.

He wasn't in jail for long and was soon released. His health suffered greatly during his breif imprisonment and he died shortly there after.

Román Baldorioty de Castro died September 30, 1889 in the City of Ponce, Puerto RicoPonce the second largest city in Puerto Rico outside of the San Juan metropolitan area is named after the Spanish conquistador Juan Ponce de Leon. It is located a few miles from the Caribbean coastline of the island. Ponce, nicknamed The City of Los Leone.

The Cities of Bayamón, Juana Díaz and San Germán have honored the memory of Baldorioty by nameing Plazas after him. There are schools and a Highway also named after him in Puerto RicoThe Commonwealth of Puerto Rico ("Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico") is a self-governing unincorporated organized territory of the United States located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic. Puerto Rico, the smallest of the Gr.



Read more »

Non User