Alejandrina Benitez de Gautier
Encyclopedia
Alejandrina Benítez de GautierThis name uses Spanish marriage naming customs; the first is the maiden family name "Benítez" and the second or matrimonial family name is "Gautier". (1819–1879) is considered by many to be one of Puerto Rico's greatest poet
s.
, became an orphan at an early age. She moved to San Juan and lived with her aunt, the poet and author María Bibiana Benítez
who raised her and looked after her education.
Benítez de Gautier wrote a poem entitled La Patria del Genio (The Nation of the Genius) dedicated to Jose Campeche
; for this poem she was awarded 100 Spanish pesos from the "La Sociedad Económica Amigos del País" (Friends of the Economic Society of Puerto Rico).
She had an affair with a provisional intendant, Rodulfo Gautier and on November 12, 1851 bore him her first child, José Gautier Benítez
who was to become a famous poet, out of wedlock in the City of Caguas, Puerto Rico
. She later married Rudolfo (thus adding de Gautier to her surname) and legitimized her relationship. She moved with her husband to his farmstead in Caguas and became involved in the slave trade business. In 1857, her husband died and the widow moved once more to San Juan with her aunt.
Benítez de Gautier did not write any poems from 1846 to 1861. In 1861, new poems by Benítez de Gautier which were published in the local journals began to appear. Among her best known poem of the time was "A Submarine Cable to Puerto Rico". In said poem she pays tribute to the knowledge and engineering that went into the establishment of telegraph service between Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. Her youngest daughter was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and died from the illness in 1875, the same year that her aunt died. Benítez de Gautier died in 1879 at the age of 60.
The Schools official Department Of Education designation is P.S.377.
It is located in an area of Brooklyn known as Bushwick.
Poet
A poet is a person who writes poetry. A poet's work can be literal, meaning that his work is derived from a specific event, or metaphorical, meaning that his work can take on many meanings and forms. Poets have existed since antiquity, in nearly all languages, and have produced works that vary...
s.
Early years
Benítez de Gautier, born in Mayagüez, Puerto RicoMayagüez, Puerto Rico
Mayagüez is the eighth-largest municipality of Puerto Rico. Originally founded as "Nuestra Señora de la Candelaria" it is also known as "La Sultana del Oeste" , "Ciudad de las Aguas Puras" , or "Ciudad del Mangó"...
, became an orphan at an early age. She moved to San Juan and lived with her aunt, the poet and author María Bibiana Benítez
María Bibiana Benítez
María Bibiana Benítez , was Puerto Rico's first known female poet and one of its first playwrights.-Early years:...
who raised her and looked after her education.
Poet
Benítez de Gautier, inspired by her aunt, became an accomplished poet. She became a member of a group of young writers which were considered as the members of the first generation of the Puerto Rican poets and writers who founded what is known as Puerto Rican literary culture. Benítez de Gautier gained recognition as a poet with her collaboration in the "Aguinaldo Puertorriqueño" (Collection of Puerto Rican Poetry) which was published in 1843 gave her recognition as a poet.Benítez de Gautier wrote a poem entitled La Patria del Genio (The Nation of the Genius) dedicated to Jose Campeche
José Campeche
José Campeche , born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, is the first known Puerto Rican visual artist and considered by many as one of the best rococo artists in the Americas.-Early years:...
; for this poem she was awarded 100 Spanish pesos from the "La Sociedad Económica Amigos del País" (Friends of the Economic Society of Puerto Rico).
She had an affair with a provisional intendant, Rodulfo Gautier and on November 12, 1851 bore him her first child, José Gautier Benítez
José Gautier Benítez
José Gautier Benítez is considered Puerto Rico's best poet of the Romantic Era.-Early years:Gautier Benítez was born in Caguas, Puerto Rico to Rodulfo Gautier and the renowned Puerto Rican poet, Alejandrina Benitez de Gautier. His great-aunt, Maria Bibiana Benitez, was also a renowned Puerto Rican...
who was to become a famous poet, out of wedlock in the City of Caguas, Puerto Rico
Caguas, Puerto Rico
Caguas , founded in 1775, is a city and municipality of Puerto Rico located in the Central Mountain Range of Puerto Rico, south of San Juan and Trujillo Alto, west of Gurabo and San Lorenzo, east of Aguas Buenas, Cidra, and Cayey....
. She later married Rudolfo (thus adding de Gautier to her surname) and legitimized her relationship. She moved with her husband to his farmstead in Caguas and became involved in the slave trade business. In 1857, her husband died and the widow moved once more to San Juan with her aunt.
Benítez de Gautier did not write any poems from 1846 to 1861. In 1861, new poems by Benítez de Gautier which were published in the local journals began to appear. Among her best known poem of the time was "A Submarine Cable to Puerto Rico". In said poem she pays tribute to the knowledge and engineering that went into the establishment of telegraph service between Puerto Rico and St. Thomas. Her youngest daughter was diagnosed with pulmonary tuberculosis and died from the illness in 1875, the same year that her aunt died. Benítez de Gautier died in 1879 at the age of 60.
Poems
Amongst her most celebrated works are:- "Al Cable Submarino en Puerto Rico" (To the Under Sea Cable in Puerto Rico),
- "A La Estatua de Colón en Cardenas" ( To the Statue of Columbus in Cardenas), and
- "A Cuba" (To Cuba).
Legacy
Puerto Rico has honoured her memory by naming schools after her; there is also a school in Brooklyn, New York named in her honour.The Schools official Department Of Education designation is P.S.377.
It is located in an area of Brooklyn known as Bushwick.
See also
- List of Puerto Rican writers
- List of famous Puerto Ricans
- Puerto Rican literature
- French immigration to Puerto RicoFrench immigration to Puerto RicoThe French immigration to Puerto Rico came about as a result of the economic and political situations which occurred in various places such as Louisiana , Saint-Domingue and in Europe....
- List of Latin American writers
- Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States