Francisco Mariano Quiñones
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Francisco Mariano Quiñones (1830 – 1908), born in San German, Puerto Rico, distinguished himself as a defender of the ideals of the abolition of slavery and a proponent of the self-determination of Puerto Rico.
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[edit] Early years
Quiñones was born into a wealthy family of landowners and at a young age developed his life-long love for literature and journalism. He was sent to Europe where he attended private schools. After he finished his secondary education (high school), he continued his university studies in Germany, France and in New York. When Quiñones returned to Puerto Rico in 1848, he went to work for the family business.
[edit] Abolitionist
In 1865, the Spanish Crown requested from the municipalities of Puerto Rico recommendations for new laws and Quiñones was elected representative for San German. In 1867 Quiñones represented Puerto Rico before the "Overseas Information Committee" meeting in Spain. Together with Segundo Ruiz Belvis and Jose Julian Acosta, he demanded the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico and also protested over the injustices practiced by General Palacio in the island.
[edit] Politician
When Quiñones returned to the island, he joined the Puerto Rican Liberal Reformist Party and 1871 was elected as representative in front of the Spanish Courts. In Spain he continued his fight for the abolition of slavery.
In 1887, Quiñones joined the Autonomist Party headed by Luis Muñoz Rivera. There were some disagreements between Marín and some of the members which led to a rupture in the party. Among those who abandoned the party were Quiñones and Jose Celso Barbosa who went on to form the Orthodox Autonomist Party.
On February 10, 1898, Spain granted Puerto Rico the rights to self-determination, which was considered the first step towards independence. Quiñones was named President of Puerto Rico's first Cabinet by General Macias.
In 1898, after the Spanish-American War when Puerto Rico became a territory of the United States,Quiñones joined the Puerto Rican Republican Party founded by Jose Celso Barbosa and which championed the idea of converting Puerto Rico into a state of the U.S.. Quiñones was elected and served as a representative in Puerto Rico's Camara of Representatives in 1900 and 1902.
[edit] Postscript
Among his most important written works of literature are "Articulos, (1887)" and "Apuntes para la Historia de Puerto Rico, (1888)".
Francisco Mariano Quiñones died on September 13, 1908 and is buried in the City of San German.
