Primo Feliciano Velázquez
Encyclopedia
Primo Feliciano Velázquez Rodríguez (6 June 1860 – 19 June 1953) was a Mexican
journalist
, attorney
and historian
who specialized in regional history. He was a translator of Nahuatl
and Latin and a connoisseur
of local literature. In 1946-1948, he published the definitive Historia de San Luis Potosí (History of San Luis Potosi
) in four volumes.
Velázquez was born in Santa Maria del Rio
, San Luis Potosi
to Octaviano Velázquez and María de la Concepción Rodríguez. He was twelve years old when he was enrolled at the Seminary of San Luis Potosi (Seminario Conciliar Guadalupano Josefino), and he graduated in 1878, took an advanced degree in 1879, and passed his law examination there in October of 1880. Subsequently, he assumed the Latin chair and the Civil Law chair there.
In 1883, he published La Voz de San Luis (The Voice of San Luis), a series of broadsides
to celebrate the centennial of the birth of Agustín de Iturbide
. The next year, he joined with Ambrosio Ramirez and Juan N. Ruelas to found the newspaper El Estandarte (The Standard) in San Luis Potosi which proceeded to publish articles critical of the government, as well as literary and historical articles, written mostly by Velázquez. Velázquez espoused Christian social doctrine
in his editorials, and encouraged others to submit articles on local history and folklore. El Estandarte was very successful going from biweekly to daily in 1890 and continuing to be published until the end of 1911.
Velázquez made his home a gathering point for those interested in the history of San Luis Potosi, and impromptu seminars were regular occurrences. He was a pioneer in archaeological research in San Luis Potosi, not only excavating himself, but encouraging the work of others.
Velázquez belonged to a number of organizations, local, national, and international, among them were: Academia Mexicana de la Historia
, Real Academia de la Lengua
, and Sociedad Mexicana de Geografía y Estadística
.
Mexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
journalist
Journalist
A journalist collects and distributes news and other information. A journalist's work is referred to as journalism.A reporter is a type of journalist who researchs, writes, and reports on information to be presented in mass media, including print media , electronic media , and digital media A...
, attorney
Lawyer
A lawyer, according to Black's Law Dictionary, is "a person learned in the law; as an attorney, counsel or solicitor; a person who is practicing law." Law is the system of rules of conduct established by the sovereign government of a society to correct wrongs, maintain the stability of political...
and historian
Historian
A historian is a person who studies and writes about the past and is regarded as an authority on it. Historians are concerned with the continuous, methodical narrative and research of past events as relating to the human race; as well as the study of all history in time. If the individual is...
who specialized in regional history. He was a translator of Nahuatl
Nahuatl
Nahuatl is thought to mean "a good, clear sound" This language name has several spellings, among them náhuatl , Naoatl, Nauatl, Nahuatl, Nawatl. In a back formation from the name of the language, the ethnic group of Nahuatl speakers are called Nahua...
and Latin and a connoisseur
Connoisseur
A connoisseur is a person who has a great deal of knowledge about the fine arts, cuisines, or an expert judge in matters of taste.Modern connoisseurship must be seen along with museums, art galleries and "the cult of originality"...
of local literature. In 1946-1948, he published the definitive Historia de San Luis Potosí (History of San Luis Potosi
San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí officially Estado Libre y Soberano de San Luis Potosí is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is San Luis Potosí....
) in four volumes.
Velázquez was born in Santa Maria del Rio
Santa Maria del Rio, San Luis Potosi
Santa Maria del Rio is one of the 58 municipalities that make up the Mexican state of San Luis Potosi. The municipality is located in the southern part of the state, approximately 48 kilometers east of the city of San Luis Potosi. Santa Maria del Rio has a land area of 1,655 square kilometers, with...
, San Luis Potosi
San Luis Potosí
San Luis Potosí officially Estado Libre y Soberano de San Luis Potosí is one of the 31 states which, with the Federal District, comprise the 32 Federal Entities of Mexico. It is divided in 58 municipalities and its capital city is San Luis Potosí....
to Octaviano Velázquez and María de la Concepción Rodríguez. He was twelve years old when he was enrolled at the Seminary of San Luis Potosi (Seminario Conciliar Guadalupano Josefino), and he graduated in 1878, took an advanced degree in 1879, and passed his law examination there in October of 1880. Subsequently, he assumed the Latin chair and the Civil Law chair there.
In 1883, he published La Voz de San Luis (The Voice of San Luis), a series of broadsides
Broadside (printing)
A broadside is a large sheet of paper printed on one side only. Historically, broadsides were posters, announcing events or proclamations, or simply advertisements...
to celebrate the centennial of the birth of Agustín de Iturbide
Agustín de Iturbide
Agustín Cosme Damián de Iturbide y Aramburu , also known as Augustine I of Mexico, was a Mexican army general who built a successful political and military coalition that was able to march into Mexico City on 27 September 1821, decisively ending the Mexican War of Independence...
. The next year, he joined with Ambrosio Ramirez and Juan N. Ruelas to found the newspaper El Estandarte (The Standard) in San Luis Potosi which proceeded to publish articles critical of the government, as well as literary and historical articles, written mostly by Velázquez. Velázquez espoused Christian social doctrine
Christian Democracy
Christian democracy is a political ideology that seeks to apply Christian principles to public policy. It emerged in nineteenth-century Europe under the influence of conservatism and Catholic social teaching...
in his editorials, and encouraged others to submit articles on local history and folklore. El Estandarte was very successful going from biweekly to daily in 1890 and continuing to be published until the end of 1911.
Velázquez made his home a gathering point for those interested in the history of San Luis Potosi, and impromptu seminars were regular occurrences. He was a pioneer in archaeological research in San Luis Potosi, not only excavating himself, but encouraging the work of others.
Velázquez belonged to a number of organizations, local, national, and international, among them were: Academia Mexicana de la Historia
Academia Mexicana de la Historia
The Academia Mexicana de la Historia is a national academy in Mexico, whose purpose is to promote and propagate historical studies within Mexico, conduct research into all aspects of the history of Mexico, and to contribute towards the preservation of the national cultural heritage...
, Real Academia de la Lengua
Real Academia Española
The Royal Spanish Academy is the official royal institution responsible for regulating the Spanish language. It is based in Madrid, Spain, but is affiliated with national language academies in twenty-one other hispanophone nations through the Association of Spanish Language Academies...
, and Sociedad Mexicana de Geografía y Estadística
Sociedad Mexicana de Geografía y Estadística
Sociedad Mexicana de Geografía y Estadística is a national organization founded on 18 April 1833 to promote the mapping and boundary demarcation of the newly independent Mexican state. It was founded with the help of a number of governmental agencies and through the efforts of Valentín Gómez Farías...
.
Selected works
- 1945 Códice Chimalpopoca: Anales de Cuauhtitlán y leyenda de los soles translated direct from the Nahuatl by Primo Feliciano Velázquez, Universidad Nacional Autónoma de México, Imprenta Universitaria, Mexico City, OCLC 1885732
- 1946/1948 Historia de San Luis Potosí Sociedad Mexicana de Geografía y Estadística, Mexico City, OCLC 1908497
- "D. Joaquín Garcia Icazbalceta" Memorias de la Academia Mexicana de la Historia: Correspondiente de la Real de Madrid, II, pp. 101-157