School Address: Calle Guadalupe Bo Pueblo Ponce PR 731
School District: Puerto Rico Department Of Education
County: Ponce Municipio
Select Grade:
Dr. José Celso Barbosa was a prominent Puerto Rican physician, sociologist, and political leader. Born on July 27, 1857, in Bayamón, Puerto Rico, he made significant contributions to the island both in the medical field and in politics. Barbosa was the first person of African descent to earn a medical degree in the United States, graduating from the University of Michigan in 1880. Upon returning to Puerto Rico, he dedicated himself to improving public health. In addition to his medical career, Barbosa was a pioneering figure in Puerto Rican politics. He was an advocate for statehood for Puerto Rico and founded the Partido Republicano Puertorriqueño in 1899, shortly after the island became a U.S. territory. Barbosa also served in Puerto Rico’s House of Delegates and worked tirelessly for social reform and the political assimilation of Puerto Rico into the United States. His work laid the foundation for modern political discourse on the island. Dr. José Celso Barbosa remains a respected figure for his contributions to medicine, education, and the political landscape of Puerto Rico.