Search Famous Puerto Ricans
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Virgilio Dávila
Born January 28, 1869 in Toa Baja. Died August 22, 1943 in Bayamón and buried in the Porta Coeli Cemetary. Poet and writer celebrated for works that reflected Puerto Rican identity, rural traditions, and patriotism.
He was mayor of Bayamón for a few years. His poetry represents the traditional in Puerto Rican literature. In 1903, he published his first book of poems, "Patria", a collection of lyrical portraits of the island's landspace, love and Puerto Rican personalities like Jose; de Diego, Federico Degetau and Lola Rodriguez de Tio. He also published: "Viviendo y Amado" (1912), "Aromas del Terruno" (1916), "Pueblito de Antes" (1917), and "Un Libro Para Mis Nietos" (A Book for my Grandchildren; 1928).
Among his best-known poems are "Nostalgia", "Elegia de Reyes" and "No Des Tu Tierra al Extrano."
Lola Rodríguez de Tió
Born September 14, 1843 in San Germán. One of Puerto Rico's most celebrated poets and an advocate for Puerto Rican independence.
This was the first Puerto Rican - born poet to establish a reputation throughout the West Indies. In 1868, inspired by the call for Puerto Rican independence known as the "Grito de Lares," she wrote patriotic lyrics to the existing tune of "La Borinqueba." In 1876 she and her family moved to Mayaguez where she published her first book of poetry, "Mis cantares", which sold 2,500 copies. She is best known for her patriotic poetry about Puerto Rico, as well as Cuba where she lived for many years. She was elected a member of the Cuban Academy of Arts and Letters. Rodriguez de Tio's most famous poem, "Cuba y Puerto Rico Son" (Cuba and Puerto Rico Are), was first published in the collection "Mi Libro de Cuba" (My Book of Cuba) in 1893. She died on November 10, 1924 in La Habana, Cuba. Since her death she has been recognized for her suggestion that Puerto Ricans use the Cuban flag with its colors reversed as the model for their own standard.
