Alegría was born in San Juan, Puerto Rico where he received his primary and secondary education. His father, José S. Alegría, was a former vice president and founding member of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party. It was Alegría's father who instilled in him a sense of love and pride for Puerto Rico, its history, and culture.[b] In 1941 at the University of Puerto Rico, together with Yamil Galib, Alegría founded a new fraternity, Alpha Beta Chi.[c] In 1942, Alegría earned his Bachelor of Science degree in archeology from the University of Puerto Rico. He continued his academic education in the University of Chicago where in 1947 he earned his master's in Anthropology and History. In 1954, Alegría earned his Ph.D (doctorate) in Anthropology from Harvard University.[2]
Legacy and death
Alegría was named the first director of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture by Luis Muñoz Marín, Puerto Rico's first elected governor. He was responsible for the creation of the "Archaeological Center of Investigation of the University of Puerto Rico"(UPR). Alegría also created the "Center of Popular Arts of the Puerto Rican Cultural Institute", the program of publication of books of the institute, and created the logo for the Institute of Neurobiology in Puerto Rico.
Alegría was responsible for the renovation and restoration of historical Old San Juan under the leadership of then San Juan mayor Felisa Rincón de Gautier. He is also responsible for the restoration of the ruins of "Caparra" and "Fort San Jeronimo". As a result of his work "Old San Juan" was declared a "Historical World Treasure". In 1976, Alegría opened the "Center of Advanced Studies of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean". In 1992, he established the "Museum of the Americas".[4]
Alegría is considered a pioneer in the anthropologic studies of the Taino culture and the African heritage in Puerto Rico by the Smithsonian Institution.[5][d]Caribbean Business points out that, "His extensive studies have helped historians understand how the Taínos lived and suffered, before and after the Spanish conquistadors arrived on the island."[3] Alegría estimated that about one third of all Puerto Ricans have Taíno blood—results of recent DNA studies have proved him right.[e]
Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa became inspired by Alegría's work and incorporated a fictional character based on him, named Ricardo Santurce, in his play El loco de los balcones.[f]
Ricardo Alegría lived in Old San Juan in his later years, until his death on July 7, 2011.[g] He had been hospitalized in San Juan's Centro Medico (Medical Center Hospital) a few weeks before his death. After a brief recovery, he relapsed, and was returned to the medical center, where he died of heart failure.[h][i]
In 1993, President Bill Clinton presented Alegría with the "Charles Frankel Prize" for his contributions in the field of archaeology. In 1996, he was awarded the "James Smithson Bicentennial Medal". In 2001, Alegría received from the hands of Nancy Morejon "The Haydee Santamaria Medal" in Havana, Cuba. In 2002, Alegría received the "Luis Muñoz Marín Medal" in recognition of his life achievements from Puerto Rican Governor Sila Calderón. Puerto Rican artist Lorenzo Homar honored Alegría by making an artistic graphic poster of him.[8][9]
Dr. Ricardo E. Alegría Gallardo -Retablo by Edwin Báez Carrasquillo en el Museo de las Américas
Alegría also received recognition from cultural and architectural organizations in Peru, Venezuela, Mexico and the Dominican Republic, where he also received an honorary doctorate. The city of Havana recognized his influence in the project to remodel the city's historical district (similar to Alegría's work in Old San Juan) by honoring him with a plaque, which, while he was alive, was the only monument honoring a living Puerto Rican in the entire city.
Puerto Rican folk duo Los Niños Estelares dedicated a tribute song to Alegría, named "Alegría, Doctor Alegría", in their 2010 album, Namasté. In it they describe many of Alegría's accomplishments, his educational background, and -partly in jest, due to Alegría's impressive credentials- likened him to Indiana Jones. In the lyrics, they name Alegría "the last Puerto Rican hero."
Works
The following is a list of books which Alegría has either authored or co-authored.
"Ball Courts and Ceremonial Plazas in the West Indies" (1983)[10]
"The three wishes; a collection of Puerto Rican folktales"(1969) ( with Lorenzo Homar)
"History of the Indians of Puerto Rico" (1983)
"El Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, 1955–1973 : 18 años contribuyendo a fortalecer nuestra conciencia nacional" (1978)
"Taino: Pre-Columbian Art & Culture from the Caribbean" (with Fatima Bercht and Jose J. Arrom) (1998)
"Las primeras representaciones gráficas del indio americano, 1493–1523" (1978)
"Descubrimiento, conquista y colonización de Puerto Rico, 1493–1599" (with Mela Pons Alegría) (1984)
"Historia y Cultura de Puerto Rico: Desde La Epoca Pre-Colombina Hasta Nuestros Dias"
"Excavations at Maria de La Cruz Cave & Hacienda Grande Village Site, Loiza, Puerto Rico" (with Irving Rouse) (1999)
"La vida de Jesucristo según el santero puertorriqueño Florencio Cabán" (1983)
"San Juan de Puerto Rico" (with Manuel Méndez Guerrero and María de los Angeles Castro Arroyo) (1989)
"Cafe" (1967)
"Programa De Parques Y Museos Del Instituto De Cultura Puertorriquena" (1973)
"La Fiesta De Santiago Apostol En Loiza Aldea" (1954)
^This name uses Spanish naming customs: the first or paternal family name is Alegría and the second or maternal family name is Gallardo.
^Smithsonian Institution (2004) "I was greatly motivated by my father, the writer Jose Alegría, who taught me to dearly love Puerto Rico and to be proud of our history and culture."[2]
^Caribbean Business (2011) "Alegría earned his bachelor’s degree in archeology in 1942 at the University of Puerto Rico, where he founded the Alpha Beta Chi fraternity [...]"[3]
^Smithsonian Institution (2004) "Alegría was a pioneer scholar in the study of the culture of the Tainos, the native peoples who existed in Puerto Rico before Columbus’ arrival."[2]
^Caribbean Business (2011) "DNA studies have backed up Alegría’s estimate that about one-third of all Puerto Ricans have Taíno blood."[3]
^Caribbean Business (2011) "Peruvian Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa was inspired by Alegría’s work and incorporated a fictional character based on him, named Ricardo Santurce, in his play “El loco de los balcones.”"[3]
^El Nuevo Día (2011; in Spanish) "El prestigioso profesor, figura indispensable en el desarrollo de la identidad cultural nacional, falleció hoy a las 6:05 a.m."[6]
^Primera Hora (2011; in Spanish) "Alegría Pons explicó que su padre salió del hospital en junio, donde le habían practicado un cateterismo y una angioplastia, pasó dos semanas en su casa, hasta que el domingo pasado le dio un dolor de pecho muy fuerte. Fue reingresado al Cardiovascular pero no pudieron hacerle otro cateterismo porque estaba muy débil."[7]
^Primera Hora (2011; in Spanish) "Alegría, de 90 años, falleció a eso de las 6:59 a.m. en la Unidad de Coronaria del Centro Cardiovascular de Puerto Rico y el Caribe [...]"[7]
References
^Arroyo, Efrén (July 7, 2011). "5 días de duelo por muerte de Don Ricardo Alegría" (in Spanish). WAPA-TV. Retrieved January 1, 2014.
^ abc. Smithsonian Institution. 2004. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
^ abcd. Caribbean Business. July 7, 2011. Archived from the original on 2014-01-10. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
^"Ricardo Alegría" (in Spanish). Fundación Nacional para la Cultura Popular. July 11, 2011.
^"Restos de Ricardo Alegría serán velados en el Centro de Estudios Avanzados". El Nuevo Día (in Spanish). July 7, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
^ ab"Fallece don Ricardo Alegría". Primera Hora (in Spanish). July 7, 2011. Retrieved January 10, 2014.
^"Gray, Franklin awarded 1993 Charles Frankel Prize". chronicle.uchicago.edu. Retrieved 2019-09-13.
^"Ricardo Alegría - La Habana, Cuba - Citizen Memorials on Waymarking.com". www.waymarking.com. Retrieved 2019-09-13.
^Alegria, Ricardo E (September 14, 1983). Ball courts and ceremonial plazas in the West Indies. Dept. of Anthropology, Yale University. OCLC 635674732.
External links
Jornada Centenario - Ricardo E. Alegría Gallardo
April 20, 2023
ricardo, alegría, ricardo, alegría, gallardo, april, 1921, july, 2011, puerto, rican, scholar, cultural, anthropologist, archaeologist, known, father, modern, puerto, rican, archaeology, bornapril, 1921san, juan, puerto, ricodiedjuly, 2011, 2011, aged, juan, p. Ricardo E Alegria Gallardo a April 14 1921 July 7 2011 was a Puerto Rican scholar cultural anthropologist and archaeologist known as the father of modern Puerto Rican archaeology 1 Ricardo AlegriaBornApril 14 1921San Juan Puerto RicoDiedJuly 7 2011 2011 07 07 aged 90 San Juan Puerto RicoNationalityPuerto RicanOccupation s cultural anthropologist and archeologistSpouseCarmen PonsChildren1 Contents 1 Early years 2 Legacy and death 3 Awards and recognitions 4 Works 5 See also 6 Notes 7 References 8 External linksEarly years EditAlegria was born in San Juan Puerto Rico where he received his primary and secondary education His father Jose S Alegria was a former vice president and founding member of the Puerto Rican Nationalist Party It was Alegria s father who instilled in him a sense of love and pride for Puerto Rico its history and culture b In 1941 at the University of Puerto Rico together with Yamil Galib Alegria founded a new fraternity Alpha Beta Chi c In 1942 Alegria earned his Bachelor of Science degree in archeology from the University of Puerto Rico He continued his academic education in the University of Chicago where in 1947 he earned his master s in Anthropology and History In 1954 Alegria earned his Ph D doctorate in Anthropology from Harvard University 2 Legacy and death EditAlegria was named the first director of the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture by Luis Munoz Marin Puerto Rico s first elected governor He was responsible for the creation of the Archaeological Center of Investigation of the University of Puerto Rico UPR Alegria also created the Center of Popular Arts of the Puerto Rican Cultural Institute the program of publication of books of the institute and created the logo for the Institute of Neurobiology in Puerto Rico Alegria was responsible for the renovation and restoration of historical Old San Juan under the leadership of then San Juan mayor Felisa Rincon de Gautier He is also responsible for the restoration of the ruins of Caparra and Fort San Jeronimo As a result of his work Old San Juan was declared a Historical World Treasure In 1976 Alegria opened the Center of Advanced Studies of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean In 1992 he established the Museum of the Americas 4 Alegria is considered a pioneer in the anthropologic studies of the Taino culture and the African heritage in Puerto Rico by the Smithsonian Institution 5 d Caribbean Business points out that His extensive studies have helped historians understand how the Tainos lived and suffered before and after the Spanish conquistadors arrived on the island 3 Alegria estimated that about one third of all Puerto Ricans have Taino blood results of recent DNA studies have proved him right e Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa became inspired by Alegria s work and incorporated a fictional character based on him named Ricardo Santurce in his play El loco de los balcones f Ricardo Alegria lived in Old San Juan in his later years until his death on July 7 2011 g He had been hospitalized in San Juan s Centro Medico Medical Center Hospital a few weeks before his death After a brief recovery he relapsed and was returned to the medical center where he died of heart failure h i Awards and recognitions Edit A plaque in Havana Cuba honoring Dr Alegria In 1993 President Bill Clinton presented Alegria with the Charles Frankel Prize for his contributions in the field of archaeology In 1996 he was awarded the James Smithson Bicentennial Medal In 2001 Alegria received from the hands of Nancy Morejon The Haydee Santamaria Medal in Havana Cuba In 2002 Alegria received the Luis Munoz Marin Medal in recognition of his life achievements from Puerto Rican Governor Sila Calderon Puerto Rican artist Lorenzo Homar honored Alegria by making an artistic graphic poster of him 8 9 Dr Ricardo E Alegria Gallardo Retablo by Edwin Baez Carrasquillo en el Museo de las Americas Alegria also received recognition from cultural and architectural organizations in Peru Venezuela Mexico and the Dominican Republic where he also received an honorary doctorate The city of Havana recognized his influence in the project to remodel the city s historical district similar to Alegria s work in Old San Juan by honoring him with a plaque which while he was alive was the only monument honoring a living Puerto Rican in the entire city Puerto Rican folk duo Los Ninos Estelares dedicated a tribute song to Alegria named Alegria Doctor Alegria in their 2010 album Namaste In it they describe many of Alegria s accomplishments his educational background and partly in jest due to Alegria s impressive credentials likened him to Indiana Jones In the lyrics they name Alegria the last Puerto Rican hero Works EditThe following is a list of books which Alegria has either authored or co authored Ball Courts and Ceremonial Plazas in the West Indies 1983 10 The three wishes a collection of Puerto Rican folktales 1969 with Lorenzo Homar History of the Indians of Puerto Rico 1983 El Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena 1955 1973 18 anos contribuyendo a fortalecer nuestra conciencia nacional 1978 Taino Pre Columbian Art amp Culture from the Caribbean with Fatima Bercht and Jose J Arrom 1998 Las primeras representaciones graficas del indio americano 1493 1523 1978 Descubrimiento conquista y colonizacion de Puerto Rico 1493 1599 with Mela Pons Alegria 1984 Historia y Cultura de Puerto Rico Desde La Epoca Pre Colombina Hasta Nuestros Dias Excavations at Maria de La Cruz Cave amp Hacienda Grande Village Site Loiza Puerto Rico with Irving Rouse 1999 La vida de Jesucristo segun el santero puertorriqueno Florencio Caban 1983 San Juan de Puerto Rico with Manuel Mendez Guerrero and Maria de los Angeles Castro Arroyo 1989 Cafe 1967 Programa De Parques Y Museos Del Instituto De Cultura Puertorriquena 1973 La Fiesta De Santiago Apostol En Loiza Aldea 1954 El Fuerte De San Jeronimo Del Boqueron 1969 El Ahijado De La Muerte See also Edit Puerto Rico portal Biography portalList of Puerto Ricans Puerto Rican scientists and inventorsNotes Edit This name uses Spanish naming customs the first or paternal family name is Alegria and the second or maternal family name is Gallardo Smithsonian Institution 2004 I was greatly motivated by my father the writer Jose Alegria who taught me to dearly love Puerto Rico and to be proud of our history and culture 2 Caribbean Business 2011 Alegria earned his bachelor s degree in archeology in 1942 at the University of Puerto Rico where he founded the Alpha Beta Chi fraternity 3 Smithsonian Institution 2004 Alegria was a pioneer scholar in the study of the culture of the Tainos the native peoples who existed in Puerto Rico before Columbus arrival 2 Caribbean Business 2011 DNA studies have backed up Alegria s estimate that about one third of all Puerto Ricans have Taino blood 3 Caribbean Business 2011 Peruvian Nobel laureate Mario Vargas Llosa was inspired by Alegria s work and incorporated a fictional character based on him named Ricardo Santurce in his play El loco de los balcones 3 El Nuevo Dia 2011 in Spanish El prestigioso profesor figura indispensable en el desarrollo de la identidad cultural nacional fallecio hoy a las 6 05 a m 6 Primera Hora 2011 in Spanish Alegria Pons explico que su padre salio del hospital en junio donde le habian practicado un cateterismo y una angioplastia paso dos semanas en su casa hasta que el domingo pasado le dio un dolor de pecho muy fuerte Fue reingresado al Cardiovascular pero no pudieron hacerle otro cateterismo porque estaba muy debil 7 Primera Hora 2011 in Spanish Alegria de 90 anos fallecio a eso de las 6 59 a m en la Unidad de Coronaria del Centro Cardiovascular de Puerto Rico y el Caribe 7 References Edit Arroyo Efren July 7 2011 5 dias de duelo por muerte de Don Ricardo Alegria in Spanish WAPA TV Retrieved January 1 2014 a b c Biography Ricardo E Alegria Smithsonian Institution 2004 Archived from the original on March 4 2016 Retrieved January 10 2014 a b c d PR scholar Ricardo Alegria dead at 90 Caribbean Business July 7 2011 Archived from the original on 2014 01 10 Retrieved January 10 2014 Ricardo Alegria in Spanish Fundacion Nacional para la Cultura Popular July 11 2011 http www lehman edu vpadvance artgallery gallery images taino treasures hernandez essay a htm dead link Restos de Ricardo Alegria seran velados en el Centro de Estudios Avanzados El Nuevo Dia in Spanish July 7 2011 Retrieved January 10 2014 a b Fallece don Ricardo Alegria Primera Hora in Spanish July 7 2011 Retrieved January 10 2014 Gray Franklin awarded 1993 Charles Frankel Prize chronicle uchicago edu Retrieved 2019 09 13 Ricardo Alegria La Habana Cuba Citizen Memorials on Waymarking com www waymarking com Retrieved 2019 09 13 Alegria Ricardo E September 14 1983 Ball courts and ceremonial plazas in the West Indies Dept of Anthropology Yale University OCLC 635674732 External links EditJornada Centenario Ricardo E Alegria Gallardo Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Ricardo Alegria amp oldid 1143034128, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
