Famous Puerto Ricans: A

1825–1891 · on May 27 · Journalism • Abolition

Journalist, educator, and abolitionist who advocated for the end of slavery and promoted education and reform in Puerto Rico. (1825--1891), journalist and a leader of the Puerto Rican abolishement movement, was born in on May 27, 1825 in San Juan. He received his primary and secondary education from Rafael Cordero. In 1867, he was a member of the Puerto Rican commission, which participated in the Overseas Information Committee in Madrid, Spain. The commission advocated for the abolition of slavery and political reforms at the local level. On November, 1870, he became a leading member of the Liberal Reformist Party. He also collaborated to the foundation of "El Progreso" (Progress) newspaper, of which he was editor. In 1873, he became the president of the Liberal Reformist Party. He died on August 26, 1891 in San Juan.

1890–1968 · San Sebastián · Music • Composition

Puerto Rican composer and musician associated with San Sebastián whose musical work contributed to Puerto Rico's cultural heritage. Acosta, Juan F. (1890--1968), musician, composer, and music teacher, was born on May 27, 1890 in San Sebastián. Acosta wrote over 844 musical pieces, including 127 religious hymns. Among Acosta's may composition are "Bajo La Sombra de un Pino" (Under the Shade of a Pine), "Asi es la Vida" (That's Life), and "Glorias del Pasado" (Glories of the Past). Acosta died in 1968 and buried in Quebradillas.

1927–2004 · San Juan · Comedy • Radio • Television

Born April 21, 1927 in San Juan. Died January 28, 2004. One of Puerto Rico's most beloved comedians, television personalities, and entertainers, better known as Don Cholito. Agrelot started working on radio stations when he was 14. Some of Agrelot's long list of shows include: "El Colegio de la Alegría" (The School of Joy), "El Profesor Colgate", "La Criada Malcriada" (The Nasty Maid), "Desafiando a los Genios" (Challenging the Geniuses), and "El Show del Mediodia" (The Midday Show). Although born in San Juan, his family maintained strong ties to Salinas throughout his life.

1980–Present · Mayagüez · Public Life

Pageantry Represented Puerto Rico internationally after winning Miss Universe Puerto Rico.

Canóvanas · Politics • Public Service

Rafael José Albandoz served in the Puerto Rico House of Representatives in 1957, representing Canóvanas and contributing to public service and legislative affairs.

1891–1965 · Ponce · Law • Politics

Although born in Ponce, Albizu Campos spent part of his childhood in the Aguirre area of Salinas. He became one of Puerto Rico's most influential political leaders and served as president of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party. He was born on September 12, 1891 in Tenerias Village, Ponce. The son of Alejandro Albizu and Juana Campos. He was the nephew of Juan Morel Campos. Terrorist to his enemies and critics, hero to the most fervent Puerto Rican nationalist. After service in an African-American unit during World War I he developed a lasting enmity for the United States and became the fiery champion of Puerto Rican independence. Educated at Harvard (BS 1916, LL B 1923), he joined the Nationalist Party in 1924 and was the most prominent "independentista" of his time.

In 1930, he was elected president of the Nationalist Party of Puerto Rico. Convicted of seeking to overthrow the U.S. government, he was imprisoned (1937-43) before returning to Puerto Rico in 1947. His party made a poor showing in the 1948 election. He masterminded a nationalist attack to the governor's mansion in Puerto Rico and was accused of being behind the October 31, 1950, assassination attempt on President Truman at Blair House in Washington. After he was sentenced to prison for 53 years, Governor Luis Muñoz Marín offered him a conditional pardon in 1953, but withdrew it after the nationalist attack on the U.S. House of Representatives the next year. Campos spent his final years in prison. While in prison, he claimed that he was the subject of human radiation experiments. He suffered a stroke in 1956 and was again pardoned in 1964. Died in Hato Rey, on April 21, 1965.

1934–1988 · Hatillo · Music • Composition

A guitarist, singer, composer, and celebrated requinto player. Alcaide performed and recorded with several of Puerto Rico's best-known vocal and guitar ensembles and was widely admired for his technical skill and expressive style.

1921–2011 · San Juan · Anthropology • Archaeology

Scholar and cultural leader who founded the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and helped preserve the island's heritage. Alegría, Ricardo E. (1921--), cultural antropologist and archeologist, was born on April 14, 1921 in San Juan. He was the driving force behind the creation of the influential Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, which he headed from its foundation in 1955 to 1972. In 1993 he was the first Latin-American to win the United Nations Educational, Scientific, and Cultural Organization's Picasso Medal, the same year that President Clinton awarded him the Charles Frankel Award of the Humanities.

1903–1978 · Aguadilla · Composer • Musician

Born October 16, 1903 in Aguadilla. Died March 20, 1978 in San Juan. A respected composer of Puerto Rican danza and popular music, Rafael Alers helped preserve one of the island's most important musical traditions through dozens of compositions still performed today.

1822–1889 · San Juan · Literature • Journalism

Writer, poet, and physician considered one of Puerto Rico's first major literary figures. Best known for El Gíbaro, a landmark work portraying rural Puerto Rican life and traditions. Alonso y Pacheco, Manuel A. (1822--1889), writer, poet and journalist, was born on October 22, 1822 in San Juan. He is considered to be the first Puerto Rican writer of notable importance. He received his primary education in Cayey and in the San Idelfonso Seminary in San Juan.

In 1842, he moved to Barcelona, Spain where he enrolled in the University of Bercelona to study medicine, specializing in mental disorders. He finished his medical studies in 1845 and practiced medicine in Barcelona. In 1844, he published the "Album Puertorriqueño" (Puerto Rican Album), which was the second anthology of poems published in the island. In 1848, he returned to Puerto Rico and setup his medical practice in Caguas. In 1849, he published "El Gíbaro" (now is spelled "Jibaro"), a book that is part prose and part poetry and centered on the life as a poor Puerto Rican country farmer and Puerto Rican traditions. Alonso died on November 4, 1889 in San Juan.

1916–2001 · Aibonito · Literature • Linguistics

A distinguished linguist, writer, educator, and university professor, Manuel Álvarez Nazario was one of Puerto Rico's foremost scholars of the Spanish language and Afro-Hispanic linguistics. His pioneering research on Puerto Rican Spanish and the island's linguistic heritage remains an important contribution to Caribbean language studies.

1883–1962 · Arroyo · Poetry

Poet Recognized for his contributions to Puerto Rican poetry and literature.

1759–1838 · Barranquitas · Founder • Civic Leader

Recognized as the founder of Barranquitas, Antonio Aponte Ramos established the municipality in 1803 and played a key role in organizing the community during its early years. His leadership helped lay the foundation for what would become one of Puerto Rico's most important mountain towns.

1949–Present · Cidra · Politics

José Aponte Hernández, a native of Cidra, served as Speaker of the Puerto Rico House of Representatives and has been an influential figure in Puerto Rican politics for decades.

1930–2011 · Aguas Buenas · Theater • Literature

A playwright, dramatist, and educator, Luis Rafael Arcelay made important contributions to Puerto Rican theater through works that explored the island's culture, history, and social issues. His plays continue to be appreciated by students and theater enthusiasts.

1881–1958 · Naranjito · Literature • Education

Poet, professor, and pharmacist closely associated with Naranjito. He wrote the lyrics to the municipality's anthem and contributed significantly to its literary and cultural heritage.

1866–1907 · Aguada · Literature • Journalism • Politics

A writer, journalist, playwright, pharmacist, and abolitionist, Juan Bautista Arrillaga Roqué became an influential voice in Puerto Rico's autonomist movement. He helped expose the Spanish colonial government's repressive policies during the late 19th century and directed the newspaper El Águila de Puerto Rico. His works included Memorias de Antaño, Tierra Enferma, and Los Bribones.

1915–2007 · Arroyo · Playwright • Theater Pioneer

One of Puerto Rico's most influential dramatists, Arriví helped shape modern Puerto Rican theater and literature.

Camuy · Literature • Poetry

Poet and writer recognized among Camuy’s notable cultural figures.

1927–2005 · Salinas · Baseball

Major League Baseball pitcher who became one of Puerto Rico's pioneering players in the major leagues and later won a World Series championship with the New York Yankees.

1985–Present · Ceiba · Boxing

McJoe Arroyo is a professional boxer and former world super-flyweight champion from Ceiba. He also represented Puerto Rico internationally as an amateur, continuing the municipality's strong tradition of producing accomplished boxers.

1985–Present · Ceiba · Boxing

McWilliams Arroyo is an Olympic boxer and former amateur world champion from Ceiba. The twin brother of McJoe Arroyo, he represented Puerto Rico at major international competitions before building a successful professional boxing career.

1928–2013 · Río Grande · Public Life

Evangelist • Community Leader One of Puerto Rico's most influential Christian evangelists, Yiye Ávila lived for many years in Rio Grande, where his ministry established international outreach programs and made the municipality well known throughout Latin America.

1946–2020 · Loíza · Music • Culture

Legendary bomba musician, percussionist, educator, and cultural ambassador who dedicated his life to preserving Afro-Puerto Rican musical traditions through the famous Ayala family.

1899–1969 · Yabucoa · Journalism • Law • Politics

Lawyer, journalist, educator, and political figure who participated in Puerto Rican public life during the twentieth century and became associated with journalism and the island's political movements.