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1846–1928 · Influential Figure · Journalism • Literature • Education

Born in Tresmonte, Asturias, Spain to Puerto Rican parents. Journalist, poet, educator, and humanitarian who became a major figure in Puerto Rican cultural life and wrote the lyrics adopted for the official version of La Borinqueña.

One of Puerto Rico's best known journalists, poet and humanitarian. Fernandez first wrote for the newspaper "El Progress" (Progress), and later for the "Porvenir" and "El Clamor del Pueblo."

In 1876, Juncos launched the newspaper "El Buscapie", campaigning liberal ideas such as free education for children and adults. The weekly newspaper soon became the most read in the island. In 1887, he founded the "Revista Puertorriquena" (The Puerto Rican Magazine), specializing in the Arts, Sciences and Letters.

Fernandez joined the Autonomist Party and became its secretary. In 1898, when Puerto Rico was granted autonomy from Spain, he was elected Secretary of State. After the end of the Spanish-American War he retires from public life and devotes his time to writing about Puerto Rican traditions and folklore. He published numerous books and essays.

Among his most notable works are: "Tipos y Caracteres" (1882), "De Puerto Rico a Madrid" (1886), "Costumbres y Tradiciones" (1888), "La Ultima Hornada" (1928), "Libro Cuarto de Lectura," and "Canciones Escolares," which he co-wrote with Virgilio Dávila and Braulio Dueño Colón.

In 1952, "La Borinqueña", written by Fernández, became the offical anthem of the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico.

He held the Presidency of the Puerto Rican Literacy Society, directed the Antillian Academy of Language and founded the Puerto Rican Red Cross. He died on August 18, 1928 in San Juan.