Famous Puerto Ricans: H
Browse by last name.
7 people
Miguel Hernández Agosto
Attorney and longtime public servant who served as President of the Senate of Puerto Rico from 1988 to 1992. He was one of the island's most influential political leaders during the late twentieth century.
Luis Hernández Aquino
Poet, historian, educator, and essayist whose extensive literary work helped preserve Puerto Rican culture, history, and traditions throughout the twentieth century.
Rafael Hernandez Colón
Three-term Governor of Puerto Rico (1973-1977, 1985-1993) and one of the island's most influential political leaders. Known for his contributions to economic development, infrastructure, and public policy.
An honors graduate of Johns Hopkins Univ. (1956) and the Univ. of Puerto Rico law school (1959), he practiced law in Ponce, and was elected to the senate in 1968. He was a protégé of Luis Muñoz Marín. He served as president of the senate and as president of the Popular Democratic party. In 1972 he decisively defeated Gov. Luis Ferré to become, at 36, the island's youngest governor. He sponsored ambitious programs of economic development and housing construction, and he strongly opposed U.S. President Ford's wish to make Puerto Rico the 51st state. He wanted to make Puerto Rico less dependent economically on the United States.
Rafael Hernández Marín
One of Puerto Rico's greatest composers, Rafael Hernández wrote more than 2,000 songs, including classics such as Capullito de Aleli, Lamento Borincano, Preciosa, Campanitas de Cristal, and El Cumbanchero. His music helped define Puerto Rican identity throughout Latin America.
José P. H. Hernández
A modernist poet, musician, and pharmacist whose writing explored love, nature, beauty, sorrow, and mortality. His best-known collections include Coplas de la vereda, El último combate, and the posthumously published Cantos de la Sierra.
Juano Hernández
Actor known for his work in theater and film, including roles that helped open doors for Afro-Puerto Rican performers.
Enrique Huyke
Educator & Politician Prominent educator, legislator, and Commissioner of Education who greatly influenced Puerto Rico's public education system.
