Juan Ramis facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Juan Ramis y Ramis
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| Born | 27 April 1746 |
| Died | 12 February 1819 (aged 72) |
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| Movement | Enlightenment |
Juan Ramis y Ramis (born April 27, 1746 – died February 12, 1819) was a smart and busy person from Menorca, an island in the Balearic Islands. He worked as a lawyer, wrote many books, and studied history. He was an important figure during the Enlightenment period in Menorca.
About Juan Ramis y Ramis
Juan Ramis y Ramis was born and passed away in Mahón, Menorca. He was the oldest of eight children. His parents were Bartolomé Ramis y Serra and Caternia Ramis y Calafat.
His brothers and sisters were:
- Pere (1748-1816), who became a well-known lawyer and translator.
- Bartolomé (1751-1837), who was a doctor.
- José (1766-1821), who became a priest.
- Antonio (1771-1840), who continued Juan's work in history.
- Ramon.
- Marianna, who married Nicolau Orfila, a lawyer.
- Joana.
His Early Education
From a young age, Juan learned Latin grammar, arithmetic, and some modern languages. In 1762, he went to Palma de Mallorca to study at the University of Letters of Mallorca. There, he studied rhetoric (the art of speaking and writing well) and philosophy (the study of knowledge and existence).
He earned his Bachelor of Philosophy degree on March 5, 1765. Just four days later, he became a Master and Doctor in Liberal Arts. This was a big achievement, as everyone agreed he deserved it.
He continued his studies at the Pontifical University of Avignon. There, he studied Civil and Canon Law. Civil Law is about rules for everyday life, and Canon Law is about church rules. He earned his doctorate on July 15, 1767.
Life as a Lawyer and Thinker
After finishing his studies, Juan decided to live in Mahón. He worked as a lawyer and also held several public jobs. For example, he was a judge for the vice-admiral of Menorca from 1780 until Spain took over the island in 1783.
He also spent a lot of time on his intellectual projects. In 1778, he helped start the Societat Maonesa de Cultura (Mahón Society for Culture). He founded it with Captain Joan Roca i Vinent. This society met in Juan's own house.
The society focused on natural sciences (like plants and animals) and human sciences (like history and society). Members of the society also read translations of famous writers like Voltaire.
Juan Ramis's Writings
Juan Ramis y Ramis wrote many different kinds of books and plays throughout his life. We can see four main periods in his work.
First Period: Plays and Literature (1763-1781)
This was a very busy time for Juan, happening when the British ruled Menorca for the second time. He wrote dramatic plays in a style called neoclassical. This style often looked back to ancient Greek and Roman ideas. He was very skilled at using the Catalan language in his plays.
Some of his famous plays from this time include:
- Lucrècia (1769)
- Arminda (1775)
- Constància (1779)
As a founder of the Societat Maonesa de Cultura, he was very active in intellectual discussions until the society closed in 1785.
We can learn about his favorite books by looking at what was in his own library. He loved classical works from ancient Greece and Rome, like those by Homer and Virgil. He also enjoyed writers from the 17th and 18th centuries, such as Jean Racine and Voltaire. He read English writers like Shakespeare and Italian writers like Petrarch.
Second Period: Focusing on History (1783-1793)
During this time, Juan started to focus more on historiography, which is the writing of history. Literature became less important to him.
Some of his key historical works include:
- Resumen topográfico e histórico de Menorca (1784), which was a summary of Menorca's geography and history.
- Ensayo Latino-Menorquín de los tres reynos vegetal, animal y mineral (1788), an essay about the plants, animals, and minerals of Menorca.
He also wrote some literary works during this period, such as the neoclassical poem Ègloga de Tirsis i Filis and the play Rosaura.
Third Period: Family and Public Service (1791 onwards)
This period began with a sad event: the death of his wife, Joana Montanyès, in 1791. They had two daughters together. Then, in 1793, his mother also passed away.
After these losses, Juan focused on keeping his family's social standing. He took on more public jobs. For example, he became an advisor for the Royal Heritage in 1802. He was also a judge for printers and bookstores in Menorca in 1805. In 1812, he advised the Royal Tax Office.
Even though his intellectual work was less central, he still wrote some pieces. These included funny poems and love poems. He also wrote Els temps i paratges de Menorca en què és més gustós i saludable el Peix (1811), which was about the best times and places to find tasty and healthy fish in Menorca.
Fourth Period: More History Books (1814 onwards)
This last period was very productive for Juan. He published many books about history.
Some of his important historical works from this time are:
- Alquerías de Menorca (1815), about old farmhouses in Menorca.
- Situación de la Isla de Menorca (1816), describing the island's location.
- Varones Ilustres de Menorca (1817), about famous men from Menorca.
- Antigüedades célticas de la isla de Menorca (1818), which means "Celtic antiques on the island of Menorca." This was the first book about archaeology (the study of old things) for Menorca and all of Spain!
- Alonsíada (1818), an epic poem about the Catalan troops conquering Menorca.
- Historia civil y política de Menorca (1819), a history of Menorca's society and government.
Menorca's Special History
It might seem surprising that Menorca had such a rich cultural life in the 18th century. The island had a small population, only about 16,000 people at the start of the century, growing to 31,000 by the end. Yet, it saw a rise in Catalan Neoclassical literature, especially plays. Menorcan literature also covered many topics and had a European feel, which was unique for the region.
There's a good reason for this cultural growth in 18th-century Menorca. After a war, Europe's political map changed. Menorca became part of the British Empire in 1713, after the Treaty of Utrecht. This meant Menorca followed a different path than other parts of Spain.
Under British rule, Menorca kept its own political systems. Catalan remained the official language. Even the British governor, Sir Richard Kane, spoke the language of the Menorcan people. The Societat Maonesa de Cultura, which Juan Ramis helped found, even had British members. More schools teaching in the local language opened.
In 1750, the first printing press arrived in Menorca from London. This helped spread ideas and books. Menorca's economy also grew strong. Not only did agriculture, animal farming, and crafts do well, but the island also became involved in international trade. This economic activity, especially in the new capital, Mahón, led to the rise of a business class. These people were open to new ideas and connections with the rest of Europe. Because of this, children from wealthy families often studied in other European countries, especially in French universities. This open environment helped Menorca's culture, including Juan Ramis's work, to flourish.
See also
In Spanish: Juan Ramis para niños
- Capture of Minorca (1798)
- Enlightenment in Spain
- List of Governors of Menorca
