Alejandro Tapia y Rivera

Infobox writer
name = Alejandro Tapia y Rivera


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caption = Alejandro Tapia y Rivera
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birthdate = birth date|1826|11|12|mf=y
birthplace = San Juan, Puerto Rico
deathdate = death date and age|1882|7|19|1826|11|12|mf=y
deathplace = San Juan, Puerto Rico
occupation = dramaturg, poet, writer, essayist
nationality = Puerto Rican
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Alejandro Tapia y Rivera (November 12, 1826 – July 19, 1882) was a Puerto Rican poet, dramaturg, essayist and writer. Tapia is considered to be the father of Puerto Rican literature and as the person who has contributed the most to the cultural advancement of Puerto Rico's literature. In addition to his writing, Rivera was also a fervent abolitionist and a women's rights advocate.

Life and career

Rivera was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. There he received his primary education under the guidance of the renowned educator Rafael Cordero, who was an early inspiration in his life.

Tapia was working for the State Department when a Spanish Army artillery officer challenged him to a duel, a challenge which he accepted; as a result, Tapia was deported to Spain. There he completed his studies in literature in Madrid (1850-1852), and joined the Society of the Recollection of Historical Documents, relating to Puerto Rico.

Tapia organised and filed in order important 16th and 17th century documents of Puerto Rico. He published his first important work called "The Historical Library of Puerto Rico" relating to those documents and his findings on them.

Tapia was a member of the Progressive Action Political Party. Among his cultural positions was his membership of the Puerto Rican Intellectual Protective Society. He was also the director of the Youth Museum in Ponce and the founder and first president of the Ateneo Puertorriqueño.

Among Tapia's many awards and honours were:
*The Medal of the Royal Knight and
*The Distinguished Order of Carlos III from Spain.

Alejandro Tapia y Rivera died in the city of San Juan, Puerto Rico in July 19, 1882 while giving a conference at the Ateneo Puertorriqueño.

Postumous honors

His memory has been honoured in Puerto Rico. There are several schools and avenues named after Tapia. The Teatro Tapia, the premier drama stage, in old San Juan is also named after him. In July 2008, Roberto Ramos Perea, general director of the "Archivo Nacional de Teatro y Cine del Ateneo Puertorriqueño", amn archive dedicated to conserve documents and memorabilia from the theatre industry in Puerto Rico, announced that a documentary covering Tapia y Rivera's life is planned. The filmation is part of a series of events honoring his life, titled " Jornadas en Honor y Memoria de Alejandro Tapia y Rivera". [cite web| url=http://www.primerahora.com/noticia/cine/espectaculosasi/filman_documental_sobre_alejandro_tapia_y_rivera/215858| title=Filman documental sobre Alejandro Tapia y Rivera| publisher="Primera Hora"| language=Spanish| date=2008-07-31| accessdate=2008-08-10]

Works

* "El heliotropo" (1848)
* "The Palm of the Chief" (1852)
* "Guarionex" (libretto, premiered in 1854)
* "José Campeche: biography by Alejandro Tapia y Rivera" (1854)
* "Roberto D'Evreux" (1856)
* "Bernardo de Palyssy o El heroísmo del trabajo" (1857)
* "La antigua sirena" (1862)
* "La cuarterona" (1867)
* "Camoens (Alejandro Tapia y Rivera)" (1868)
* "Póstumo el transmigrado" (1872)
* "Vasco Núñez de Balboa: biography by Alejandro Tapia y Rivera" (1872)
* "Ramón Power: biography by Alejandro Tapia y Rivera" (1873)
* "La leyenda de los veinte años" (1874)
* "La Sataniada" (1874)
* "Roberto Cofresí" (1876)
* "Misceláneas de Alejandro Tapia y Rivera" (1880)
* "Póstumo el envirginado" (1882)
* "Mis memorias por Alejandro Tapia y Rivera"

ee also

*List of Puerto Rican writers
*List of famous Puerto Ricans
*Puerto Rican literature

References

External links

* [http://www.zonai.com/promociones/biografias/1101/index.asp El Nuevo Dia]