José de Diego
Poet, speaker, teacher, legislator and patriot — José De Diego was born in the town Aguadilla, Puerto Rico on April 16, 1866, as the son of Felipe Diego and Elisa Martinez.
Education and Life
He coursed his elementary studies at the Aguadilla Elementary School. He was later sent to Spain to continue with his studies at the Instituto Politecnico de Logroño. A exceptionally bright student, he attended the University of Barcelona to study Law.
He was distinguished by his bohemian lifestyle. In 1885 he was a contributor to "El Progreso", a newspaper in Madrid. His views on the political situation in Puerto Rico led to his imprisonment in various cities. The following year, he would meet his great love Carmen Echevarria, to whom he dedicated "A Laura".
He moved to La Habana in 1891 and there he finished his degree in Law the following year. After completing his studies, he returned to Puerto Rico. He first lived in the city of Mayagüez, but later moved to Arecibo where he set up his law practice. In the town of Arecibo he married Petra Latorre. The wedding was later annulled.
Political Life
José De Diego started his political life in the Assembly of the Autonomist Party in Mayagüez in 1891. He advocated for the union of the Autonomist Party with the National Autonomist Party. Jose de Diego along with Muñoz Rivera and Mateinzo Citrón formed a committee that ultimately convinced Spanish Liberal leader Práxedes Mateo Sagasta to support autonomy for Puerto Rico. He served for a short time as sub-secretary of Justice under the Autonomic government of 1897 and later a magistrate of the Real Audiencia Territorial de Puerto Rico.
The following year, in 1898, Puerto Rico was invaded and occupied by the United States during the Spanish-American War. He began to advocate for the independence of Puerto Rico. The Foraker Law was enacted and he was elected to the Chamber of Delegates for which he served as president from 1907 on. In 1917, the House of Representatives was created, and he served as its first president.
Known as a superb speaker and legislator, he helped enact laws for the protection of workers and farmers. Along with D.W. May and Carmelo Alemar, he established the College of Agriculture and Mechanic Arts in Mayaguez in 1911, later known as the University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez Campus. In 1915 he was named "Caballero de la Raza" by the Casa de América in Barcelona.
In 1916, his right leg was amputated due to Gangrene. He died in New York on October 17, 1918, deliriously reciting verses of his poem "Ultimo Acto".
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.
Referenced By
UPR, Mayagüez Campus | University of Puerto Rico - Mayagüez Campus
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