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Famous Puerto Ricans

Puerto Rican Educators & Scholars

Explore the educators, professors, scholars, and academic leaders whose work helped advance education and learning in Puerto Rico and beyond.

5 people

Ricardo E. Alegría

1921–2011 · San Juan · Anthropology • Archaeology

Scholar and cultural leader who founded the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and helped preserve the island's heritage. Alegría, Ricardo E. (1921--), cultural antropologist and archeologist, was born on April 14, 1921 in San Juan. He was the driving force behind the creation of the influential Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, which he headed from its foundation in 1955 to 1972. In 1993 he was the first Latin-American to win the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's Picasso Medal, the same year that President Clinton awarded him the Charles Frankel Award of the Humanities.

Medardo Carazo

Trujillo Alto · Education

Educator remembered among Trujillo Alto's important historical figures for his contributions to teaching and the municipality's educational heritage.

Rafael Cordero

1790–1868 · San Juan · Education

Born October 24, 1790 in San Juan. Died July 5, 1868 in San Juan. Educator and abolitionist who provided free schooling to children of all backgrounds, becoming a symbol of educational equality.

His great interest and love for reading prepared and helped him to develop the skills and the capabilities to perform as a primary teacher. Since the beginning of XIX century he dedicated himself to the children teaching in his own house, without payment. For 58 years he maintained this educational center, at Luna Street in San Juan. He taught them to read, calligraphy, arithmetic and christian (catholic) instruction. Among the students were: Román Baldorioty de Castro, Alejandro Tapia y Rivera, José Julian Acosta, Francisco del Valle Atiles and others.

Julio César López

Hormigueros · Education • Public Administration

Educator and public administrator associated with Hormigueros.

Dominga Rosado

1911–1984 · Sabana Grande · Education

Respected educator whose dedication to public education helped shape generations of students in southwestern Puerto Rico.


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Did You Know?

San Juan is the oldest European-founded city in U.S. territory.