Rafael Cordero (educator)
Venerable Rafael Cordero y Molina | |
|---|---|
 La Escuela del Maestro Rafael Cordero (1890–92) by Francisco Oller | |
| Born | 24 October 1790 San Juan, Puerto Rico |
| Died | 5 July 1868 (aged 77) San Juan, Puerto Rico |
Rafael Cordero y Molina (October 24, 1790 – July 5, 1868), known as Maestro Cordero, was a self-educated Afro–Puerto Rican who provided free schooling to the children of his city regardless of race or social standing. He is also known as the "Father of Public Education in Puerto Rico".[1]
In 2004, the
Early years
Cordero was born in
Career
In 1810 Cordero established a free school for all the children in his house. He taught children regardless of their race and those who could not afford an education otherwise. There, he taught reading, calligraphy, mathematics, and religious instruction.[5] Among the distinguished alumni who attended Cordero's school were Román Baldorioty de Castro, Alejandro Tapia y Rivera and José Julián Acosta. Cordero maintained his educational center for 58 years at Luna Street. He proved that racial and economic integration could be possible and accepted.[4]
Cordero was awarded the Premio de Virtud by the Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País en Puerto Rico, an economic club whose members were friends of Puerto Rico. He was given 100 pesos, which he, in turn, gave away to those in need. He used half of the money (50 pesos) to buy books and clothes for his students, and the other half was given to the homeless.
He was a great agitator for the abolition of slavery:[3]
To the teachings of Rafael Cordero more than to any man in Porto Rico is due the credit for the abolition of slavery in that island. His school was a man factory. The decree of the national Spanish assembly issued in 1873 abolished slavery in Porto Rico forever.
Death
The people's love and respect for Cordero were evidenced by the fact that more than 2,000 people attended his funeral in 1868.
Honors and veneration
Puerto Rican poet
In the 1990s, the Catholic Church commenced a search for Cordero's remains which were buried at the Santa María Magdalena de Pazzis Cemetery in San Juan, although the exact location was unknown.[4]
The house on Luna Street where Cordero taught was remodeled by the
In 2004, the
Gallery
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School named in honor of Rafael Cordero in Cataño -
The street sign of Calle Maestro Rafael in San Juan
See also
- List of Puerto Ricans
- List of Puerto Ricans of African descent
- Black history in Puerto Rico
References
- ^ Próceres Puertorriqueños; by Joaquín Freire; Publisher: Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Departamento de Instrucción Pública; 1ra Edición (1966)
- ^ http://touch.metro.pr//mundo/papa-autoriza-camino-a-beatificacion-del-maestro-rafael-cordero/pGXmli!HBqTbRjrGIh6/ [dead link]
- ^ ISSN 2577-2333. Retrieved 22 December 2022 – via Library of Congress.
- ^ ISBN 978-0-8477-0080-6
- ^ a b "Rafael Cordero Molina : Maestro de próceres, Siervo de Dios (ahora Venerable)". www.preb.com. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ^ "A Modern Historical Perspective of Puerto Rican Women". p-www.iwate-pu.ac.jp. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ^ "Schools in Jersey City, NJ - Public & Private Schools - Trulia". www.trulia.com. Archived from the original on 12 January 2014. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ^ "Ps 89 Cypress Hills School in Brooklyn, New York (NY) - Test Results, Rating, Ranking, Grades, Scores, Classes, Enrollment, Teachers, Students, and Report Card". www.city-data.com. Retrieved 29 December 2017.
- ^ "Papa da inicio a beatificación de puertorriqueño Rafael Cordero"; "La Raza"; Retrieved December 9, 2013 Archived December 10, 2013, at archive.today
Further reading
Cordero's contributions to society have been documented in history books and also in the following books:
- "In search of maestro Rafael Cordero" (En busca del maestro Rafael Cordero) by Jack Delano - May 1994
- "Heroes of Puerto Rico" by Jay Nelson Tuck - March 1970
External links
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| National | |
