Rafael Altamira y Crevea facts for kids
Rafael Altamira y Crevea (born February 10, 1866 – died June 1, 1951) was an important Spanish historian and a legal expert. He was born in Alicante, Spain. Many people consider him one of the most significant Spanish historians of the 1900s.
Who Was Rafael Altamira?
Rafael Altamira was a very talented person. He was interested in many different fields. These included journalism (writing for newspapers), teaching (called pedagogy), politics, and literature (books and stories). He wrote a famous book called Historia de España y de la Civilización Española. This book was like a guide to Spanish history. It showed the spirit and culture of Spain very clearly.
Spreading Knowledge to Everyone
In 1898, Altamira and other professors from the Law School at the University of Oviedo started something new. They created the University Extension. This was a special part of the university. Its main goal was to share knowledge with people who could not go to college. They did this by holding talks, courses, and other activities. These professors were following ideas from universities in England, Germany, and Belgium.
Working for Peace Around the World
Rafael Altamira traveled a lot. He gave courses and talks at many universities. He visited countries like Argentina, Peru, the USA, France, and England. He also worked as a judge at The Hague Tribunal in the Netherlands. This court helps solve problems between countries. Altamira worked hard for peace and understanding between nations. Because of his important work, he was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1933. In the same year, he became an honorary member of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
