Ramon Power y Giralt
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| Ramon Power y Giralt | |
|---|---|
| October 7, 1775 - June 10, 1813 | |
 Admiral Ramon Power y Giralt |
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| Place of birth | San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Place of death | Cadiz, Spain |
| Allegiance | Spanish Navy |
| Years of service | 1795-1809 |
| Rank | Admiral |
| Battles/wars | Santo Domingo against an invasion from French forces |
Admiral Ramon Power y Giralt (October 7, 1775 - June 10, 1813 born in San Juan, Puerto Rico), was, according to Puerto Rican historian Lidio Cruz Monclova, among the first native born Puerto Ricans to refer to himself as a "Puerto Rican" and to fight for the equal representation of Puerto Rico in front of the parliamentary government of Spain.
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[edit] Early years
Ramon Power was born in San Juan, the city where he received his primary education at a private school. In 1788, when he was 13 years old, he was sent to Bilbao, Spain to continue his educational studies.
[edit] Spanish Naval service
At the age of 17, Ramon Power began his studies of Naval sciences in Spain. Upon graduation he was commissioned a lieutenant in the Spanish Navy and eventually rose to the rank of Admiral. He distinguished himself in 1808-1809 with the defense of the Spanish Colony of Santo Domingo against an invasion from French forces by enforcing a blockade.
[edit] Political career
In 1810, Ramon Power was elected by the local "Junta Central Gobernativa del Reino" (Local Central Governing Board of the Kingdom) to represent Puerto Rico in the Spanish Courts of Cadiz, the parliamentary assembly that gathered in the Southern Spanish port of Cadiz, during Napoleon Bonaparte's occupation (Napoleon had named his eldest brother, Joseph, King of Spain) and deposed Ferdinand VII. One of his greatest supporters was Bishop Juan Alejo de Arizmendi, who gave Power his episcopal ring as a reminder that he should never forget his countrymen. He was an avid advocate for Puerto Rico during his brief tenure (which started on June 8, 1810 as a delegate in the Spanish Courts. Ramon Power was named vice-president of the courts and succeeded in obtaining powers from the courts which would benefit the economy of the Puerto Rico. The most well-known product of the assembly was the Constitution of 1812.
Ramon Power y Giralt died in the City of Cadiz, Spain on June 10, 1813 from the yellow fever epidemic which had spread throughout Europe. According to The San Juan Star (Puerto Rico's English language newspaper), there's a movement underway to bring Power's remains back to Puerto Rico. Power's remains are located in a common grave, along with other delegates' to the Courts, at the Oratorio San Felipe Neris in Cadiz. DNA testing is currently underway to identify the remains.
[edit] Honors and tributes
Puerto Rico has honored Power's memory by naming avenues and schools after him. His former residence was restored and currently houses the Puerto Rico Conservation Trust in Old San Juan, Puerto Rico. Jose Campeche honored Power in a painting entitled "Shipwreck of Power." Puerto Rico's greatest graphic artist Lorenzo Homar has also dedicated one of his artistic works to Ramon Power.
