Antonio S. Pedreira
Encyclopedia
Dr. Antonio S. Pedreira (June 13, 1899–October 23, 1939), was a renowned Puerto Rican
author and educator.
, the capital of Puerto Rico. He became interested in the art of writing stories as a child during his primary and secondary school years. He attended the University of Puerto Rico
after graduating from high school and earned his teachers certificate.
with the intention of becoming a medical doctor and enrolled in the school of medicine of Columbia University
in that city. He was exposed to the realities of racial discrimination, which was rampant in the city at that time, during his brief stay. This was one of the many factors which influenced Pedreira decision to join the Puerto Rican Nationalist
movement while at the same time becoming an open advocate for Puerto Rico's independence. He dropped out of medical school because of financial problems and returned to Puerto Rico.
In Puerto Rico, he was granted a scholarship by the government and attended the University of Puerto Rico once again. In 1925, Pedreira earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He continued his higher education and in 1928 earned a Master's degree in Letters. Pedreria then moved to Spain
to pursue a doctorate
in Philosophy
and Letters at the Central University of Madrid, which he earned in 1932. He returned to his homeland upon graduation.
at both the University of Puerto Rico and Columbia University. Eventually, the University of Puerto Rico named him Director of the Department of Hispanic
Studies. Pedreira believed that Puerto Rico was in danger of losing its cultural identity and expressed his beliefs in a daily column titled "Aclaraciones y críticas" (Clarification and criticism), published in El Mundo newspaper. He also founded and co-edited a magazine that went by the title "Indice".
and African cultures. In his book he also talks about the cultural survival of the Puerto Rican identity after the island was invaded by the United States
.
Fraternity gave the annual "Premio Antonio S. Pedreira" award to the most outstanding student in Puerto Rican Literature in the University of Puerto Rico
.
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
author and educator.
Early years
Pedreira (whose full name was Antonio Salvador Pedreira Pizarro) was born into a well-to-do family in San JuanSan Juan, Puerto Rico
San Juan , officially Municipio de la Ciudad Capital San Juan Bautista , is the capital and most populous municipality in Puerto Rico, an unincorporated territory of the United States. As of the 2010 census, it had a population of 395,326 making it the 46th-largest city under the jurisdiction of...
, the capital of Puerto Rico. He became interested in the art of writing stories as a child during his primary and secondary school years. He attended the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
after graduating from high school and earned his teachers certificate.
Nationalist
In 1920, Pedreira traveled to New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
with the intention of becoming a medical doctor and enrolled in the school of medicine of Columbia University
Columbia University
Columbia University in the City of New York is a private, Ivy League university in Manhattan, New York City. Columbia is the oldest institution of higher learning in the state of New York, the fifth oldest in the United States, and one of the country's nine Colonial Colleges founded before the...
in that city. He was exposed to the realities of racial discrimination, which was rampant in the city at that time, during his brief stay. This was one of the many factors which influenced Pedreira decision to join the Puerto Rican Nationalist
Puerto Rican Nationalist Party
The Puerto Rican Nationalist Party was founded on September 17, 1922. Its main objective is to work for Puerto Rican Independence.In 1919, José Coll y Cuchí, a member of the Union Party of Puerto Rico, felt that the Union Party was not doing enough for the cause of Puerto Rican independence and he...
movement while at the same time becoming an open advocate for Puerto Rico's independence. He dropped out of medical school because of financial problems and returned to Puerto Rico.
In Puerto Rico, he was granted a scholarship by the government and attended the University of Puerto Rico once again. In 1925, Pedreira earned a Bachelor of Arts degree. He continued his higher education and in 1928 earned a Master's degree in Letters. Pedreria then moved to Spain
Spain
Spain , officially the Kingdom of Spain languages]] under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages. In each of these, Spain's official name is as follows:;;;;;;), is a country and member state of the European Union located in southwestern Europe on the Iberian Peninsula...
to pursue a doctorate
Doctorate
A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder to teach in a specific field, A doctorate is an academic degree or professional degree that in most countries refers to a class of degrees which qualify the holder...
in Philosophy
Philosophy
Philosophy is the study of general and fundamental problems, such as those connected with existence, knowledge, values, reason, mind, and language. Philosophy is distinguished from other ways of addressing such problems by its critical, generally systematic approach and its reliance on rational...
and Letters at the Central University of Madrid, which he earned in 1932. He returned to his homeland upon graduation.
Author
Pedreira held the position of professor of Spanish literatureSpanish literature
Spanish literature generally refers to literature written in the Spanish language within the territory that presently constitutes the state of Spain...
at both the University of Puerto Rico and Columbia University. Eventually, the University of Puerto Rico named him Director of the Department of Hispanic
Hispanic
Hispanic is a term that originally denoted a relationship to Hispania, which is to say the Iberian Peninsula: Andorra, Gibraltar, Portugal and Spain. During the Modern Era, Hispanic sometimes takes on a more limited meaning, particularly in the United States, where the term means a person of ...
Studies. Pedreira believed that Puerto Rico was in danger of losing its cultural identity and expressed his beliefs in a daily column titled "Aclaraciones y críticas" (Clarification and criticism), published in El Mundo newspaper. He also founded and co-edited a magazine that went by the title "Indice".
Insularismo
In 1934, Pedreira authored his most important book, Insularismo, in which he explores the meaning of being Puerto Rican. This includes an in-depth study of the intertwining of the Spanish, TainoTaíno people
The Taínos were pre-Columbian inhabitants of the Bahamas, Greater Antilles, and the northern Lesser Antilles. It is thought that the seafaring Taínos are relatives of the Arawak people of South America...
and African cultures. In his book he also talks about the cultural survival of the Puerto Rican identity after the island was invaded by the United States
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
.
Written works
Other works by Pedreira are:- Artistas (1930) - Artists
- Hostos, cuidadano de América (1932) - Hostos, Citizen of the Americas
- La actualidad del jíbaro (1935) - The Actual Situation of the Poor Puerto Rican Farmer
- El año terrible del 87 (1937) - The Terrible Year of (18)87'
Aftermath
Dr. Antonio S. Pedreira died on October 23, 1939 in San Juan. Puerto Rico has honored his memory by naming a school and a main avenue with his name. He was an active member of Phi Eta MuFraternidad Phi Eta Mu Fraternity, besides that, other associations recognized his importance in the Puerto Rican culture. The best example is that starting in 1940, Phi Sigma AlphaPhi Sigma Alpha
Phi Sigma Alpha Fraternity commonly known as La Sigma, is a Puerto Rican fraternity established originally as the Sigma Delta Alpha Fraternity on October 22, 1928 at the University of Puerto Rico by 12 students and a professor...
Fraternity gave the annual "Premio Antonio S. Pedreira" award to the most outstanding student in Puerto Rican Literature in the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
.
See also
- List of Puerto Rican writers
- List of Famous Puerto Ricans
- Puerto Rican literature