Delma S. Arrigoitia
Encyclopedia
Dr. Delma S. Arrigoitia, PhD, J.D.
, (born c. 1945) is a historian, author, educator and lawyer whose written works cover the life and works of some of Puerto Rico's most prominent politicians of the early 20th century. Arrigoitia was also the first person in the University of Puerto Rico to earn a Masters Degree in the field of history.
to Enrique and Consuelo Arrigoitia. She was an only child and as such would often combat her loneliness by reading books. She came from a distinguished family whose love for education and culture served as her inspiration. She received her primary education at the "Colegio San Felipe de Arecibo" and her secondary education at the University High School of the University of Puerto Rico
(also known as the UPR) in Rio Piedras . Arrigoitia enrolled in the UPR, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. During her student years she was a Magna Cum Laude
student, wand she earned a medal for having the highest average score in her concentration which was history. Arrigoitia continued her studies and in 1966, became the first person in the University of Puerto Rico to earn a Masters Degree in history with her thesis La Diputacion Provincial de Puerto Rico, 1820-23.
. She practiced with the law firm of Hartzell, Ydrach, Mellado, Santiago before deciding to attend Fordham University
in New York
to pursue a doctorate degree in history. There she earned her degree with the thesis on José de Diego
, which was later published by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, titled Jose De Diego el legislador. Her legal experience enabled her to examine and understand the laws created by the subjects of her politcal biographies, and their influence on the economic and political status of Puerto Rico in relation to the United States.
Arrigoitia returned to the UPR and helped establish, as coordinator, the institution's first graduate school of history which offered a doctorate degree in history. She wrote the biography of Eduardo Giorgetti
, a Puerto Rican millionaire who was also another prominent political figure, titled Eduardo Giorgetti Y Su Mundo: La Aparente Paradoja De Un Millonario Genio Empresarial Y Su Noble Humanismo. During her years at the university she wrote a rules and regulations manual for university professors. The Middle States Association (MSA) now requires compliance with this manual, as an ongoing prerequisite for UPR's accreditation by the MSA.
As a university professor, Arrigoitia also traveled throughout Puerto Rico giving conferences on De Diego and Giorgetti.
In the late 1990s, Arrigoitia became interested in writing a book about the life of Puerto Rico's first president of the Puerto Rican Senate, Antonio Rafael Barceló. With support from the Puerto Rican Senate, she wrote this book which is titled Puerto Rico Por Encima de Todo: Vida y Obra de Antonio R. Barcelo, 1868-1938. The book was recognized by the Fundación Luis Muñoz Marín and in 2010, it was also recognized as the best of its kind in the category of research and criticism by the Ateneo Puertorriqueño (Puerto Rican Athenaeum), one of Puerto Rico's chief cultural institutions founded in 1876. The book also won a first prize of $6,000, which was presented to Arrigoitia in a ceremony in July of that year.
, and a book about the women who have served in the Puerto Rican Legislature, which was requested by the President of the Chamber of Representatives of Puerto Rico (House of Representatives), the Honorable Jennifer Gonzalez. She is also planning a book about the First Chamber of Delegates (1900–1903) of Puerto Rico.
Arrigoitia was featured in the section Escenarios - Literatura in El Vocero, a local newspaper, and in a piece titled Los Tres Hombres de Delma (The Three Men of Delma) on March 27, 2010. On April 5, she was also featured in the section Vidas Unicas in El Nuevo Dia, another local newspaper, and in a piece titled Exploradora del Genio Patrio (Explorer of the Patriotic Genre). Arrigoitia, who resides in Ocean Park, Santurce
, has two brothers from her father's first marriage. One of them is a medical doctor, and the other has a doctorate in literature.
Juris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
, (born c. 1945) is a historian, author, educator and lawyer whose written works cover the life and works of some of Puerto Rico's most prominent politicians of the early 20th century. Arrigoitia was also the first person in the University of Puerto Rico to earn a Masters Degree in the field of history.
Early years
Arrigoitia (birth name: Delma S. Arrigoitia Peraza) was born in the City of AreciboArecibo
Arecibo may refer to:*Arecibo, Puerto Rico, a municipality located by the Atlantic Ocean*Arecibo Observatory, a very sensitive radio telescope located approximately south-southwest from the city of Arecibo...
to Enrique and Consuelo Arrigoitia. She was an only child and as such would often combat her loneliness by reading books. She came from a distinguished family whose love for education and culture served as her inspiration. She received her primary education at the "Colegio San Felipe de Arecibo" and her secondary education at the University High School of the University of Puerto Rico
University of Puerto Rico
The University of Puerto Rico is the state university system of Puerto Rico. The system consists of 11 campuses and has approximately 64,511 students and 5,300 faculty members...
(also known as the UPR) in Rio Piedras . Arrigoitia enrolled in the UPR, where she earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history. During her student years she was a Magna Cum Laude
Latin honors
Latin honors are Latin phrases used to indicate the level of academic distinction with which an academic degree was earned. This system is primarily used in the United States, Canada, and in many countries of continental Europe, though some institutions also use the English translation of these...
student, wand she earned a medal for having the highest average score in her concentration which was history. Arrigoitia continued her studies and in 1966, became the first person in the University of Puerto Rico to earn a Masters Degree in history with her thesis La Diputacion Provincial de Puerto Rico, 1820-23.
Author and educator
For a short period of time, she taught humanities in her Alma Mater before she proceeded to study law, earning her Juris Doctor degreeJuris Doctor
Juris Doctor is a professional doctorate and first professional graduate degree in law.The degree was first awarded by Harvard University in the United States in the late 19th century and was created as a modern version of the old European doctor of law degree Juris Doctor (see etymology and...
. She practiced with the law firm of Hartzell, Ydrach, Mellado, Santiago before deciding to attend Fordham University
Fordham University
Fordham University is a private, nonprofit, coeducational research university in the United States, with three campuses in and around New York City. It was founded by the Roman Catholic Diocese of New York in 1841 as St...
in New York
New York
New York is a state in the Northeastern region of the United States. It is the nation's third most populous state. New York is bordered by New Jersey and Pennsylvania to the south, and by Connecticut, Massachusetts and Vermont to the east...
to pursue a doctorate degree in history. There she earned her degree with the thesis on José de Diego
José de Diego
José de Diego y Martínez , known as "The Father of the Puerto Rican Independence Movement", was a statesman, journalist, poet, lawyer, and advocate for Puerto Rico's independence from Spain and from the United States....
, which was later published by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, titled Jose De Diego el legislador. Her legal experience enabled her to examine and understand the laws created by the subjects of her politcal biographies, and their influence on the economic and political status of Puerto Rico in relation to the United States.
Arrigoitia returned to the UPR and helped establish, as coordinator, the institution's first graduate school of history which offered a doctorate degree in history. She wrote the biography of Eduardo Giorgetti
Eduardo Georgetti
Eduardo Georgetti , was an agriculturist, businessman, philanthropist, and politician. Georgetti, who came from a family of prosperous land owners, became one of Puerto Rico's wealthiest sugar barons and benefactors...
, a Puerto Rican millionaire who was also another prominent political figure, titled Eduardo Giorgetti Y Su Mundo: La Aparente Paradoja De Un Millonario Genio Empresarial Y Su Noble Humanismo. During her years at the university she wrote a rules and regulations manual for university professors. The Middle States Association (MSA) now requires compliance with this manual, as an ongoing prerequisite for UPR's accreditation by the MSA.
As a university professor, Arrigoitia also traveled throughout Puerto Rico giving conferences on De Diego and Giorgetti.
In the late 1990s, Arrigoitia became interested in writing a book about the life of Puerto Rico's first president of the Puerto Rican Senate, Antonio Rafael Barceló. With support from the Puerto Rican Senate, she wrote this book which is titled Puerto Rico Por Encima de Todo: Vida y Obra de Antonio R. Barcelo, 1868-1938. The book was recognized by the Fundación Luis Muñoz Marín and in 2010, it was also recognized as the best of its kind in the category of research and criticism by the Ateneo Puertorriqueño (Puerto Rican Athenaeum), one of Puerto Rico's chief cultural institutions founded in 1876. The book also won a first prize of $6,000, which was presented to Arrigoitia in a ceremony in July of that year.
Currently
In 2002, Arrigoitia retired as an educator at the UPR. She is dedicated to the authorship of various books. Among her projects is a book about the history of the fashion industry in Puerto Rico, as requested by Puerto Rican high fashion designer Carlota AlfaroCarlota Alfaro
Carlota Alfaro is a high fashion designer from Puerto Rico. She is known as "Puerto Rico's grande dame of fashion".Alfaro showed a passion for design ever since she was a child, often designing clothes for family and friends...
, and a book about the women who have served in the Puerto Rican Legislature, which was requested by the President of the Chamber of Representatives of Puerto Rico (House of Representatives), the Honorable Jennifer Gonzalez. She is also planning a book about the First Chamber of Delegates (1900–1903) of Puerto Rico.
Arrigoitia was featured in the section Escenarios - Literatura in El Vocero, a local newspaper, and in a piece titled Los Tres Hombres de Delma (The Three Men of Delma) on March 27, 2010. On April 5, she was also featured in the section Vidas Unicas in El Nuevo Dia, another local newspaper, and in a piece titled Exploradora del Genio Patrio (Explorer of the Patriotic Genre). Arrigoitia, who resides in Ocean Park, Santurce
Santurce
Santurce can refer to:*Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico, a district of San Juan, the capital of Puerto Rico*Santurtzi, a town near Bilbao, the Basque Country, Spain...
, has two brothers from her father's first marriage. One of them is a medical doctor, and the other has a doctorate in literature.
Written works
- Jose De Diego el legislador, San Juan; by: Delma S. Arrigoitia; Publisher: Instituto de Cultura Puertorriquena,1991; LCCN: 93114065; LC: F1978.D54 A77 1991
- Eduardo Giorgetti Y Su Mundo: La Aparente Paradoja De Un Millonario Genio Empresarial Y Su Noble Humanismo; by Delma S. Arrigoitia; Publisher: Ediciones Puerto; ISBN 0942347528; ISBN 9780942347524
- Puerto Rico Por Encima de Todo: Vida y Obra de Antonio R. Barcelo, 1868-1938; by: Dr. Delma S. Arrigoitia; Publisher: Ediciones Puerto (January 2008); ISBN 978-1934461693
See also
- List of Latin American writers
- List of Puerto Rican writers
- List of Famous Puerto Ricans
- Puerto Rican literature
- Multi-Ethnic Literature of the United States