José de Diego

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Dr. José de Diego y Benítez (April 16, 1866 – July 16, 1918), born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, statesman, journalist, poet and advocate for Puerto Rico's independence from Spain.

Dr. Jose de Diego

Diego received his primary education in Mayagüez, Puerto Rico. He then moved to Spain where he graduated from the "Polytechnic College of Logroño". While in Spain, Diego collaborated with the newspaper "El Progreso" (Progress) which was founded by José Julián Acosta and which attacked the political situation in Puerto Rico. This led to various arrests and eventually he returned to the island.

In 1886, Diego had an unhappy love affair, with Carmen Echavarría, which led him to write one of his acclaimed poems "A Laura" (To Laura). This poem became very popular among the romantics of that time. Together with Román Baldorioty de Castro, Diego founded the "Autonomist Party" in 1887.

Diego returned to Spain and studied law in Barcelona. He received his law degree and continued his studies until he graduated with a doctorate in law in 1892. He then returned to Puerto Rico to advocate for its autonomy from Spain.

Diego set up his law practice in Arecibo and was the founder of the newspaper "La República" (The Republic). Along with Luis Muñoz Rivera and Matienzo Cintrón, he formed a committee which ultimately convinced the Spanish representative in the island Práxedes Mateo Sagasta to support the idea of autonomy for Puerto Rico. Diego envisioned the establishment of a Confederation of the Spanish-speaking islands in the Caribbean which would include Dominican Republic and Cuba. In 1897 Spain acknowledged Puerto Rico's autonomy, a status which was short-lived.

After the US invasion of Puerto Rico during the Spanish-American War, a treaty executed in Paris ending the conflict and binding Spain to cede Puerto Rico, Cuba, Guam and the Philippines as war bounties to the USA. De Diego was appointed to the ruling Executive Council of the island by the US President, a position to which he resigned to pursue the island's right to govern itself. In 1904, he co-founded the "Unionist Party" along with Luis Muñoz Rivera and Antonio R. Barceló.

The Diego was then elected to the House of Delegates which he presided from 1904 to 1917. The House of Delegates was subject to the US President's veto power and unsuccessfully voted for the island's right to independence and self-government and petitioned against imposition of US citizenship to Puerto Ricans.

José de Diego envisioned the establishment of a Confederation of the Spanish-speaking islands in the Caribbean which would include Dominican Republic and Cuba. After the Spanish-American War, de Diego continued to be active in the politics the now-annexed "territory" of the U.S.

José de Diego is considered by many as one of Puerto Rico's greatest poets, journalists, orators, and politicians He is known as the "Father" of the "Modern Puerto Rican Poetry Movement" and of the Puerto Rican Independence Movement. Two of Diego's greatest poems are "A Laura" and "Póstuma". Among his most noted poetry books are:

"Pomarrosas"

"Jovillos"

"Cantos de Rebeldía"

"Cantos del Pitirre"

He was the founder of the "Colegio de Agricultura y Artes Mecánicas de Mayagüez" now known as "University of Puerto Rico at Mayagüez". Diego was honored by Spain by being knighted "Caballero de la Raza" (Knight of the Race).

José de Diego right leg was amputated in 1916 due to a gangrene infection. He died in New York City on July 16, 1918 while reciting one of his poems. His remains are buried in the "Cementerio Antiguo de San Juan" (Old San Juan Cemetery), in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

José de Diego's memory has been honored in Puerto Rico, by having his birtdate as an official holiday as well the naming schools, avenues and highways after him. There is also a school in Brooklyn, New York, and Miami, Florida named after him.

[edit] Important works

Obras Completas. Nuevas Campañas, el Plebiscito. San Juan de Puerto Rico: Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, 1973.
Pomarrosas. Barcelona: Imprenta de Henrich y Ca. en Comnadita, 1904.
Ripoll, Luis. Antología Poética. España: Palma de Mallorca, 1977.