Cayetano Coll y Toste
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Dr. Cayetano Coll y Toste (November 30, 1850-November 19, 1930) born in the City of Arecibo, Puerto Rico, was a historian and writer
Coll y Toste received his primary and secondary education in his hometown, Arecibo. In 1863, he entered the Jesuits' Seminary College in San Juan from where he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy in 1868. In 1872, Coll y Toste went to Barcelona, Spain and enrolled the "School of Medicine" of the University of Barcelona. From here he graduated as a "Doctor in Medicine and Surgery" in 1872. During his stay in Spain, he was able to study historical documents relating to Puerto Rico which he later found to be useful to him.
In 1874, Coll y Toste returned to the island where he set up his own medical practice in Arecibo. In 1891, he was named director of the Catholic Hospital of Arecibo. In his free time, he developed both a love of and an interest in literature. Not only did Toste become interested in investigating the history of Puerto Rico, but, he also took an active interest in the island's politics and was the founder and director of a publication called "El Ramillete". He also collaborated with the "Revista Puertorriqueña" (Puerto Rican Review), "La Semana Politica" (Political Weekly) and "Plumas Amigas" (Pen Pals).
In 1897, a year before the Spanish-American War, Coll y Toste was "Sub-Secretary of Agriculture and Commerce" and was named "Regional Governor of Northern Puerto Rico" by the Spanish Crown. After the war, Coll y Toste was named "Civil Secretary" and in 1900 "Commissioner of the Interior" by General Davis the military governor appointed by the United States. He held the position of "Secretary of the Government" and he also became a delegate to Puerto Rico's "House of Representatives". In 1913 Coll y Toste was named "Official Historian of Puerto Rico" and among Coll y Toste's other civil positions were the Presidency of the "Puerto Rican Historical Academy" and of the "Ateneo Puertorriqueño".
Among his many written works are:
- "El Boletin Historico de Puerto Rico" (Historical Boletin of Puerto Rico),
- "Cronicas de Arecibo" (Cronicals of Arecibo) and
- "Leyendas y Tradiciones Puertorriqueñas" (Puerto Rican Legends and Traditions).
His research into the history of Puerto Rico gave people an insight into the island from the times of the Tainos up until 1927. One of his works "The Indo-Antillean Vocabulary" is valuable in understanding the way of life of the Tainos. His works are required reading in Puerto Rican high schools and universities.
Spain bestowed upon Coll y Toste the title of "Comendador de la Real Orden Americana de Isabel la Catolica" (Commander of the American Royal Order of Isabel the Catholic) and the Government of Venezuela honored Coll y Toste with the title of "Caballero de la Orden de Bolivar" (Knight of the Order of Bolivar).
Cayetano Coll y Toste died on November 19, 1930 in the City of New York.
Puerto Rico has honored his memory by naming many public buildings and an avenue after him. Arecibo named its regional hospital Hospital Regional Cayetano Coll y Toste.
