In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Ruiz and the second or maternal family name is Belvis.
Segundo Ruiz Belvis (13 May 1829[citation needed] – 3 November 1867[citation needed]) was a Puerto Rican abolitionist who also fought for Puerto Rico's right to independence.
Ruiz Belvis was born in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico (then a barrio of the municipality of Mayagüez) to José Antonio Ruiz and Manuela Belvis.[1] He received his primary education in Aguadilla. Ruiz Belvis went to Venezuela and graduated with a degree in philosophy from the University of Caracas. He later earned a law degree from the Central University of Madrid in Spain. During his stay in Spain, he befriended people with both liberal and reformist ideals who proposed the abolition of slavery.[2]
Abolitionist
In 1859, Ruiz Belvis returned to Puerto Rico and befriended Ramón Emeterio Betances, joining "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.[3] Later, he moved to the city of Mayagüez where he established his law practice. Ruiz Belvis was named Justice of the Peace by the city's citizens. He was later appointed to the Mayagüez city council as a representative. His responsibilities included watching over the well being of the slaves in his district and the management of public funds. Ruiz Belvis became involved in politics and took up the cause of abolitionism in the island.[2]
When Ruiz Belvis returned to Madrid in 1865, he represented the abolitionist cause to the Cortes Generales. Although his ideas were considered dangerous by the Spanish rulers for their threat to the existing order, he helped begin the movement that would eventually lead to the liberation of the slaves in the remaining Spanish Colonies in Latin America. In 1866 after his father's death, Ruiz Belvis inherited his family's hacienda Josefa; the first thing he did was free the slaves.[2]
Puerto Rican independence advocate
Calle Prat, Valparaíso, Chile. At this approximate location stood the Aubry Hotel, where Ruiz Belvis died in 1867.
Upon returning to Puerto Rico, Ruiz Belvis found out that the Spanish-appointed governor, José María Marchesi Oleaga, did not like the liberal ideas that Ruiz Belvis and his friends had; they were all banished to exile.[3]
Ruiz Belvis eventually ended up in New York in 1866, where together with Betances and other patriots, he formed the "Comité Revolucionario de Puerto Rico" (Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico) for the independence of the island. They developed a plan to send an armed expedition to Puerto Rico, in what was to become known as the "Grito de Lares". During this time, Ruiz Belvis became ill. He still traveled to Valparaíso, Chile, to raise funds for the planned revolution.[3]
Ruiz Belvis died in Valparaiso of Fournier's gangrene on 3 November 1867. He died before the uprising the next year—"Grito de Lares"—which failed. Slavery was finally abolished in Puerto Rico on 22 March 1873. He is buried in the chapel of the Cemetery of Hormigueros.[4]
Legacy
To honor the memory of Segundo Ruiz Belvis, Puerto Rico has named many streets after him. A school has been named for him in each of the following places: his birth town of Hormigueros, Ponce,[5] and Santurce.[6] In the United States, "Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center" was named for him in Chicago, Illinois, and "Segundo Ruiz Belvis Diagnostic and Treatment Center" in the Bronx, New York.
References
^Hormigueros: History and Founding. 12 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine Encyclopedia Puerto Rico. Retrieved 21 October 2012.
segundo, ruiz, belvis, this, spanish, name, first, paternal, surname, ruiz, second, maternal, family, name, belvis, 1829, citation, needed, november, 1867, citation, needed, puerto, rican, abolitionist, also, fought, puerto, rico, right, independence, born13, . In this Spanish name the first or paternal surname is Ruiz and the second or maternal family name is Belvis Segundo Ruiz Belvis 13 May 1829 citation needed 3 November 1867 citation needed was a Puerto Rican abolitionist who also fought for Puerto Rico s right to independence Segundo Ruiz BelvisBorn13 May 1829 citation needed Hormigueros Puerto RicoDied3 November 1867 citation needed Valparaiso ChileOccupationAbolitionistNotesRuiz Belvis helped plan an armed expedition to Puerto Rico in what was to become known as the Grito de Lares Contents 1 Early years 2 Abolitionist 3 Puerto Rican independence advocate 4 Legacy 5 References 6 External linksEarly years EditRuiz Belvis was born in Hormigueros Puerto Rico then a barrio of the municipality of Mayaguez to Jose Antonio Ruiz and Manuela Belvis 1 He received his primary education in Aguadilla Ruiz Belvis went to Venezuela and graduated with a degree in philosophy from the University of Caracas He later earned a law degree from the Central University of Madrid in Spain During his stay in Spain he befriended people with both liberal and reformist ideals who proposed the abolition of slavery 2 Abolitionist EditIn 1859 Ruiz Belvis returned to Puerto Rico and befriended Ramon Emeterio Betances joining 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 Mayaguez 3 Later he moved to the city of Mayaguez where he established his law practice Ruiz Belvis was named Justice of the Peace by the city s citizens He was later appointed to the Mayaguez city council as a representative His responsibilities included watching over the well being of the slaves in his district and the management of public funds Ruiz Belvis became involved in politics and took up the cause of abolitionism in the island 2 When Ruiz Belvis returned to Madrid in 1865 he represented the abolitionist cause to the Cortes Generales Although his ideas were considered dangerous by the Spanish rulers for their threat to the existing order he helped begin the movement that would eventually lead to the liberation of the slaves in the remaining Spanish Colonies in Latin America In 1866 after his father s death Ruiz Belvis inherited his family s hacienda Josefa the first thing he did was free the slaves 2 Puerto Rican independence advocate Edit Calle Prat Valparaiso Chile At this approximate location stood the Aubry Hotel where Ruiz Belvis died in 1867 Upon returning to Puerto Rico Ruiz Belvis found out that the Spanish appointed governor Jose Maria Marchesi Oleaga did not like the liberal ideas that Ruiz Belvis and his friends had they were all banished to exile 3 Ruiz Belvis eventually ended up in New York in 1866 where together with Betances and other patriots he formed the Comite Revolucionario de Puerto Rico Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico for the independence of the island They developed a plan to send an armed expedition to Puerto Rico in what was to become known as the Grito de Lares During this time Ruiz Belvis became ill He still traveled to Valparaiso Chile to raise funds for the planned revolution 3 Ruiz Belvis died in Valparaiso of Fournier s gangrene on 3 November 1867 He died before the uprising the next year Grito de Lares which failed Slavery was finally abolished in Puerto Rico on 22 March 1873 He is buried in the chapel of the Cemetery of Hormigueros 4 Legacy EditTo honor the memory of Segundo Ruiz Belvis Puerto Rico has named many streets after him A school has been named for him in each of the following places his birth town of Hormigueros Ponce 5 and Santurce 6 In the United States Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center was named for him in Chicago Illinois and Segundo Ruiz Belvis Diagnostic and Treatment Center in the Bronx New York References Edit Hormigueros History and Founding Archived 12 January 2014 at the Wayback Machine Encyclopedia Puerto Rico Retrieved 21 October 2012 a b c Biografia de Segundo Ruiz Belvis a b c El Nuevo Dia Archived 27 September 2011 at the Wayback Machine Mausoleo de Segundo Ruiz Belvis Escuela Segundo Ruiz Belvis Ponce Puerto Rico Department of Education Retrieved 17 October 2012 Archived Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural CenterExternal links Edit Puerto Rico portalEl Nuevo Dia Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Segundo Ruiz Belvis amp oldid 1140013953, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
