Everything about Segundo Ruiz Belvis totally explained
Segundo Ruiz Belvis (
May 13,
1829 –
November 3,
1867), was a dedicated abolitionist who also fought for Puerto Rico's right to independence.
Early years
Ruiz Belvis was born in
Hormigueros, Puerto Rico and received his primary schooling in
Aguadilla. He graduated with a degree in
philosophy from the University of Caracas of
Venezuela. He also obtained his law degree from the Central University of Madrid in
Spain.
Abolitionist
In 1859, Ruiz Belvis returned to Puerto Rico and took up the cause of abolitionism in the island. The first thing he did was to free the slaves in his hacienda. He then befriended
Ramón Emeterio Betances and joined "
The Secret Abolitionist Society" founded by Betances. The society baptized and emancipated thousands of black slave children. The event, which was known as "aguas de libertad" (waters of liberty), was carried out at the Cathedral of Mayagüez. Later, he moved to the city of
Mayagüez where he established his law practice. Ruiz Belvis was also named the Justice of the Peace by the city's citizens.
Ruiz Belvis returned to Madrid in 1865, as a representative for the abolitionist cause in front of the
Spanish Courts. Even though his ideas were viewed as dangerous by the Spanish rulers, it was nonetheless the beginning of a movement which would eventually lead to the liberation of the slaves in the remaining
Spanish Colonies in
Latin America.
Puerto Rican independence advocate
Upon returning to Puerto Rico, Ruiz Belvis found out that the Spanish appointed governor, José María Marchesi Oleaga, didn't like the
liberal ideas that Ruiz Belvis and his friends had and they were all banished in exile.
Ruiz Belvis eventually ended up in
New York in 1866, where together with Betances and other patriots
formed the "Comité Revolucionario de Puerto Rico" (Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico) for the independence of Puerto Rico. An outcome from this venture was the plans of sending an armed expedition to Puerto Rico in what was to become known as the "
Grito de Lares". During this time Segundo Ruiz Belvis became ill, but this didn't keep him from traveling to the City of
Valparaíso,
Chile with the intention of obtaining financial aid for the planned revolution.
Ruiz Belvis died in Chile and never knew that the "Grito de Lares" failed. He didn't live to see his dream come true, the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico on
March 22,
1873. Segundo Ruiz Belvis died
November 3,
1867 in
Valparaíso,
Chile.
Legacy
To honor the memory of Segundo Ruiz Belvis, many avenues and a school in his birth town of Hormigueros have been named after him in Puerto Rico. There is a "Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center" in
Chicago,
Illinois and a "Segundo Ruiz Belvis Diagnostic and Treatment Center" in the
Bronx, New York.
Further Information
Get more info on 'Segundo Ruiz Belvis'.
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