José Trinidad Reyes facts for kids
Quick facts for kids José Trinidad Reyes |
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"Wisdom, not only distinguishes man from the beasts, but it gives him superiority and preference over his peers."
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| Personal details | |
| Birth name | José Trinidad Reyes |
| Born | June 11, 1797 Tegucigalpa, Captaincy General of Guatemala, Spanish Empire |
| Died | September 20, 1855 (aged 58) Tegucigalpa, Honduras |
| Denomination | Catholic |
| Parents | Felipe Santiago de Reyes and María Francisca Sevilla |
| Profession | Bachelor in Philosophy, Theology and Canon law |
Father José Trinidad Reyes y Sevilla (born June 11, 1797 – September 20, 1855) was a Honduran priest. He is famous for founding the National Autonomous University of Honduras. This university was first called "The Society of the Enterprising Genius and Good Taste."
Father Reyes worked hard to help poor people. He believed everyone deserved an education. He supported their right to learn about faith, culture, and science. He also wrote many plays called pastorelas. These plays helped start modern theatre in Honduras.
He presented his plays in churches in Tegucigalpa. One of his songs, "Navidad nuestra" ('Our Christmas'), is still popular today. It mixes different Honduran Christmas traditions.
Reyes was a strong supporter of women's rights. His plays often featured powerful female characters. He even wrote a famous document, a "feminist manifesto," using the name Sofía Seyers. In it, he argued that women should have the right to basic education. His ideas were inspired by the women of the French Revolution and thinkers from The Enlightenment.
He believed that arts, especially theater, could help countries grow and become more civilized. In Tegucigalpa, he fought against extreme political views and old superstitions.
Contents
Biography
José Trinidad Reyes was born in San Miguel County, Tegucigalpa. His father, Felipe Santiago de Reyes, was a music teacher. His mother was María Francisca Sevilla. He was baptized on June 14, 1797, just three days after his birth.
Early Life and Education
In 1804, he started school in Tegucigalpa. He learned to read and studied the Catholic faith. When he was 15, in 1812, he began learning Latin. He also took music lessons from Friar Juan Altamiran. He learned drawing from Mr. Rafael U. Martínez, a painter from Guatemala.
In 1815, Reyes left Tegucigalpa to continue his studies in León, Nicaragua. There, he earned a bachelor's degree. He studied Philosophy, Theology, and Canon law (church law). He also improved his music skills by working at León's cathedral. In 1819, he joined a religious order called the Recoletos.
Religious Journey and Founding the University
In 1825, José Trinidad Reyes became a deacon and then a priest. He received his orders from the bishop of León. A civil war in Nicaragua forced him and other Recoletos to go to Guatemala. In Guatemala, Reyes studied Greek and Latin classics. He also read plays by famous Spanish writers like Lope de Vega and Calderón de la Barca. He completed his education in Guatemala.
In 1828, Reyes returned to Honduras to visit his family. He stopped in Esquinpulas, where he temporarily lost his sight. On July 13, he arrived in Comayagüela. The next day, he celebrated his first mass in the church of "La Concepción."
After this, Reyes settled in the convent of "Nuestra Señora de las Mercedes" in Tegucigalpa. This became his home until he passed away. In 1830, he wrote a poem for General Francisco Morazán, who was president of the Federal Republic of Central America.
In 1835, Reyes helped rebuild several churches. He repaired the chapel of "La Merced" and the temples of "San Francisco" and "El Calvario." He also built smaller temples in "Las Casitas," "Soraguara," and "Suyapa." He helped repair the main church of Tegucigalpa, which was damaged by an earthquake in 1809.
In 1837, Reyes gave a sermon to celebrate the repaired church. He also caught Asian cholera while helping victims. He barely survived this illness.
His Writings and Impact
In 1838, he wrote his play Micol, dedicated to Juana and Rafaela Robelo. His earliest known work is Noemí, written between 1828 and 1838. In 1840, Reyes wrote a play called Adoración a los Santos Reyes Magos (Adoration to the Three Wise Men). His play Micol was performed in Tegucigalpa in 1841.
In 1842, Reyes was considered for the position of Bishop of Honduras. However, another priest, Mr. Francisco de Paula Campoy y Pérez, was chosen. Some historians believe Father Reyes was appointed Bishop by Pope Gregory XVI. In 1845, he traveled to Comayagua.
On December 14, 1845, he founded the "Society of the Enterprising Genius and Good Taste." This society later became the National Autonomous University of Honduras. As the university's first leader, Reyes gave a powerful opening speech.
In 1846, he wrote a poem for General Francisco Ferrera after his son died. This showed that they were not enemies. In June 1847, he returned to Tegucigalpa because his mother passed away.
On September 19, 1847, Trinidad Reyes officially opened the Honduras University. The chief of state, Mr. Juan Lindo, and Bishop Campoy y Perez were there. That year, he also started the first library in Honduras, called the "Library of the Academy." He also set up the first working printing press in Honduras. This press had been brought by General Francisco Morazán in 1829.
Reyes brought the first piano to Tegucigalpa. He also wrote funny poems called When... These poems were short and ended with the word "when."
In 1848, Reyes wrote an "Invitation to stroll to the lake" for the people of Tegucigalpa. In 1849, his father died. In 1850, Reyes wrote a poem called Honduras. It was dedicated to generals Gerardo Barrios and Trinidad Cabañas, and all soldiers from El Salvador and Honduras. He also wrote a poem called "To the independence."
In 1851, he presented his play Elisa. He had also written and presented other plays like Neftalia, Selfa, and Rubenia. He wrote another play called Albano, but it was never performed.
In 1852, he gave a speech at the opening of the Central American Congress in Tegucigalpa. He also wrote poems for the members of the National Constituent Congress. In 1853, he wrote a sad poem about the death of Bishop Mt. Jorge Viteri y Ungo.
In 1855, Reyes became ill with a stomach problem. He published his Elementary Lessons of Physics, which became a study book for young people. He also visited Bishop Hipólito Casiano Flores in Comayagua. In his last year, he wrote his most beautiful play, Olympia. It was possibly inspired by the French feminist Olympe de Gouges.
Reyes went to the village of Soroguara to get better. He returned to Tegucigalpa in late August. He passed away on September 20, 1855, at 10 am. He was surrounded by his students and family. His remains are buried in the Parish Church.
