Alonso Gutiérrez facts for kids
Alonso Gutiérrez, also known as Alonso de la Vera Cruz (born around 1507, died 1584), was an important Spanish thinker and a member of the Augustinian religious order. He became a very influential person in a place called New Spain, which is now Mexico. He lived and worked there for many years, from 1535 to 1562, and again from 1573 until he passed away.
Alonso Gutiérrez was born in a town called Caspueñas in Guadalajara, Spain. He studied at Salamanca University under a famous teacher named Francisco de Vitoria.
He strongly believed in the human rights of the native people who were living in the lands that had been taken over by the Spanish. In 1553, he made history by becoming the very first professor at the University of Mexico. He died in Mexico City.
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Who Was Alonso de la Vera Cruz?
Alonso de la Vera Cruz was a Spanish philosopher and a friar (a type of monk) from the Augustinian order. A philosopher is someone who studies big ideas about life, knowledge, and what is right or wrong. As an Augustinian friar, he was part of a religious group that followed the teachings of Saint Augustine. He was known for his deep thinking and his strong beliefs about fairness.
Early Life and Education
Alonso Gutiérrez was born in Spain around the year 1507. He grew up in a town called Caspueñas. He went to a very famous school called Salamanca University. There, he learned from a well-known teacher named Francisco de Vitoria. This teacher taught him a lot about law and fairness. These lessons helped shape Alonso's own ideas later in life.
Working in New Spain
In 1535, Alonso de la Vera Cruz traveled to New Spain. This was the name for the lands in the Americas that Spain had claimed, which included much of what is now Mexico. He worked there for many years, sharing his knowledge and ideas. He was a very important thinker in this new land.
A Champion for Human Rights
One of Alonso de la Vera Cruz's most important contributions was his strong support for the human rights of the native people. These were the people who already lived in New Spain before the Spanish arrived. He believed that everyone, no matter where they came from, deserved to be treated with respect and fairness. He wrote about these ideas, trying to protect the rights of the conquered peoples.
First Professor at the University of Mexico
In 1553, Alonso de la Vera Cruz achieved another important milestone. He became the very first professor at the new University of Mexico. This was a big step for education in New Spain. He helped to teach new generations of students and share his important ideas about philosophy and justice. He continued to work and teach until his death in Mexico City in 1584.
See also
In Spanish: Alonso de la Vera Cruz para niños
