Rafael Cordero (educator)

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Cordero and the second or maternal family name is Molina.
Venerable

Rafael Cordero y Molina
La Escuela del Maestro Rafael Cordero (1890–92) by Francisco Oller
Born(1790-10-24)24 October 1790
San Juan, Puerto Rico
Died5 July 1868(1868-07-05) (aged 77)
San Juan, Puerto Rico

Rafael Cordero y Molina (October 24, 1790 – July 5, 1868), known as Maestro Cordero, was a self-educated Afro–Puerto Rican who provided free schooling to the children of his city regardless of race or social standing. He is also known as the "Father of Public Education in Puerto Rico".[1]

In 2004, the Catholic Church began the process of Cordero's beatification. In 2013, Pope Francis recognized him as Venerable.[2]

  1. ^ Próceres Puertorriqueños; by Joaquín Freire; Publisher: Estado Libre Asociado de Puerto Rico, Departamento de Instrucción Pública; 1ra Edición (1966)
  2. ^ http://touch.metro.pr//mundo/papa-autoriza-camino-a-beatificacion-del-maestro-rafael-cordero/pGXmli!HBqTbRjrGIh6/ [dead link]