Fernando Picó facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fernando Picó
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Picó at the Archivo General de Puerto Rico
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| Born |
Fernando Alberto Picó Bauermeister
15 August 1941 |
| Died | 27 June 2017 (aged 75) |
| Alma mater | BA Fordham University (1965) MA Fordham University (1966) PhD Johns Hopkins University 1970 |
| Occupation | |
| Employer | University of Puerto Rico at Río Piedras |
| Known for | Historian of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean |
Fernando Picó Bauermeister (August 15, 1941 – June 27, 2017) was a special person from Puerto Rico. He was a Jesuit priest, a historian, and a teacher. Picó was known as a top expert on the history of Puerto Rico. He knew a lot about the island's history, especially from the 1900s. One of his most famous books, Historia General de Puerto Rico, is used in many history classes in Puerto Rico. He taught history at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus from 1972 until he passed away in 2017.
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Who Was Fernando Picó?
Fernando Picó was born in Santurce, a part of San Juan, Puerto Rico, on August 15, 1941. His parents were Florencio Picó and Matilde Bauermeister Picó. He went to Colegio San Ignacio de Loyola, a Catholic school in San Juan, from 1954 to 1958.
His Education and Calling
After high school, Picó earned his first college degree from Springfield College in Massachusetts. In 1959, he joined the Saint Andrew-on-Hudson seminary in New York. This is where he studied to become a Jesuit priest. He learned about philosophy and theology there.
He continued his studies and earned a master's degree in history from Fordham University in 1966. Then, he got his doctorate degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1970. His main research was about bishops in France a long time ago. On May 22, 1971, Picó became a Jesuit priest. He also studied in other countries like Italy and Spain.
A Passion for History
Father Picó became one of the most important experts on Puerto Rican history. His book, "Historia General De Puerto Rico," is a must-read for many history courses on the island. He wrote many articles for magazines and newspapers in Puerto Rico and other countries.
He started teaching in the history department at the University of Puerto Rico, Río Piedras Campus in 1972. He worked there until he passed away in 2017. He also worked with the Association of Caribbean Historians.
In 2008, he received a special award called the Eugenio María de Hostos Chair. He even wrote a speech to celebrate the birthday of Eugenio María de Hostos, who was an important figure in Puerto Rican history from the 1800s. In 2010, the University of Puerto Rico honored him as a distinguished professor. They said he was the top expert on 19th-century island history because of his new ideas and ways of studying.
Helping Others
Besides being a Catholic priest and a historian, Father Picó also wrote stories for children. One of his children's books is called "La peinilla colorada." He was also a very kind person who cared about others. He spent time working with people who were in prison.
His Legacy
Father Fernando Picó had some health problems for a few months. He became very ill on June 26, 2017, and sadly passed away the next day, June 27, 2017. He was 75 years old and died at the Jesuit home in Cupey, San Juan, Puerto Rico.
On June 30, 2017, many people came to say goodbye to him. His coffin, covered with a flag, was displayed at the University of Puerto Rico, Rio Piedras Campus. He is remembered by his two sisters, Matilde Picó and Carmen Picó. His brother, Dr. Jose F. Picó, had passed away before him.
Important Books He Wrote
Here are some of the books Fernando Picó wrote:
- "Registro General de Jornaleros: Utuado, Puerto Rico 1849-50"
- "Historia General de Puerto Rico" (1986)
- "History of Puerto Rico: A Panorama of Its People" (1986)
- "Vivir en Caimito" (1989)
- "Puerto Rico, tierra adentro y mar afuera" (1991)
- "La Peineta Colorada" (The Red Comb) (1991)
- "Don Quijote en motora y otras andanzas" (1993)
- "El día menos pensado: Historia de los presidiarios en Puerto Rico (1793-1993)" (1994)
- "Coffee, Society and Power in Latin America" (1995)
- "Puerto Rico 1898: The War After The War" (2003)
- "Puerto Rico Inside and Out: Changes and Continuities" (2008)
- "Santurce y las voces de su gente" (2014)
- Universitas Ludens (2019)
