Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico
Encyclopedia
The Royal and Pontifical University of Mexico (in ) was founded on 21 September 1551 by Royal Decree signed by Charles I of Spain
, in Valladolid
, Spain
. It is generally considered the first university officially founded in North America
and second in the Americas
.
After the Mexican War of Independence
it was renamed University of Mexico. It was closed during the years 1833, 1857, 1861 and 1865; the main reason being that it was not well regarded by the liberals, who called it an example of cultural lag.
During the Second Mexican Empire
, the University was reopened by Maximilian I of Mexico
and, after the victory by the liberals in 1867, closed for good. Scattered institutions, mainly civil colleges founded by the liberals and religious establishments outside Mexico City
, continued without interruption.
Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor
Charles V was ruler of the Holy Roman Empire from 1519 and, as Charles I, of the Spanish Empire from 1516 until his voluntary retirement and abdication in favor of his younger brother Ferdinand I and his son Philip II in 1556.As...
, in Valladolid
Valladolid
Valladolid is a historic city and municipality in north-central Spain, situated at the confluence of the Pisuerga and Esgueva rivers, and located within three wine-making regions: Ribera del Duero, Rueda and Cigales...
, 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...
. It is generally considered the first university officially founded in North America
North America
North America is a continent wholly within the Northern Hemisphere and almost wholly within the Western Hemisphere. It is also considered a northern subcontinent of the Americas...
and second in the Americas
Americas
The Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
.
After the Mexican War of Independence
Mexican War of Independence
The Mexican War of Independence was an armed conflict between the people of Mexico and the Spanish colonial authorities which started on 16 September 1810. The movement, which became known as the Mexican War of Independence, was led by Mexican-born Spaniards, Mestizos and Amerindians who sought...
it was renamed University of Mexico. It was closed during the years 1833, 1857, 1861 and 1865; the main reason being that it was not well regarded by the liberals, who called it an example of cultural lag.
During the Second Mexican Empire
French intervention in Mexico
The French intervention in Mexico , also known as The Maximilian Affair, War of the French Intervention, and The Franco-Mexican War, was an invasion of Mexico by an expeditionary force sent by the Second French Empire, supported in the beginning by the United Kingdom and the Kingdom of Spain...
, the University was reopened by Maximilian I of Mexico
Maximilian I of Mexico
Maximilian I was the only monarch of the Second Mexican Empire.After a distinguished career in the Austrian Navy, he was proclaimed Emperor of Mexico on April 10, 1864, with the backing of Napoleon III of France and a group of Mexican monarchists who sought to revive the Mexican monarchy...
and, after the victory by the liberals in 1867, closed for good. Scattered institutions, mainly civil colleges founded by the liberals and religious establishments outside Mexico City
Mexico City
Mexico City is the Federal District , capital of Mexico and seat of the federal powers of the Mexican Union. It is a federal entity within Mexico which is not part of any one of the 31 Mexican states but belongs to the federation as a whole...
, continued without interruption.
Notable alumni
- Bartolomé de AlvaBartolomé de AlvaDon Bartolomé de Alva was a Novohispanic mestizo secular priest and Nahuatl translator. He was a younger brother of the chronicler don Fernando de Alva Ixtlilxochitl....
, Roman Catholic secular clergyman and NahuatlNahuatlNahuatl 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...
translator. - Agustín Dávila PadillaAgustín Dávila PadillaDávila Padilla was a Mexican Dominican, a writer and Bishop of Santo Domingo.-Life:At the age of sixteen he graduated at the University of Mexico as master of arts and soon after entered the Dominican Order...
(1562–1604), chronicler of the Dominican OrderDominican OrderThe Order of Preachers , after the 15th century more commonly known as the Dominican Order or Dominicans, is a Catholic religious order founded by Saint Dominic and approved by Pope Honorius III on 22 December 1216 in France...
and its missions in AmericaAmericasThe Americas, or America , are lands in the Western hemisphere, also known as the New World. In English, the plural form the Americas is often used to refer to the landmasses of North America and South America with their associated islands and regions, while the singular form America is primarily...
up to the end of the 16th century.
Notable faculty
- Juan José Eguiara y EgurenJuan José Eguiara y EgurenJuan José Eguiara y Eguren was a Mexican Catholic scholar and bishop.-Life:He received his education in the Jesuit College of San Ildefonso of Mexico and later was named rector of the University of Mexico...
(? - 1763), Roman Catholic bishop and scholar who served as its rector. - Francisco Cervantes de SalazarFrancisco Cervantes de SalazarFrancisco Cervantes de Salazar was a Spanish man of letters.He was born and raised in Toledo. He first attended Alejo Venegas’s Grammar School and then studied at the University of Salamanca. In 1539 he accompanied Licenciado Pedro Giron to the Low Countries where he met, among other luminaries,...
(1514? – 1575), distinguished writer who served twice as rector during its early years. - Alonso GutiérrezAlonso GutiérrezAlonso Gutiérrez, aslso known as Alonso de la Vera Cruz , was a Spanish philosopher and Augustinian, who took the religious name da Vera Cruz...
(1507–1584), Augustinian philosopher, historian and intellectual figure. - Carlos de Sigüenza y GóngoraCarlos de Sigüenza y GóngoraCarlos de Sigüenza y Góngora was one of the first great intellectuals born in the Spanish viceroyalty of New Spain. A polymath and writer, he held many colonial government and academic positions.-Early career:...
(1645–1700), cartographer, historian and philosopher of the late 17th century.