Agustín Stahl

Dr. Agustín Stahl (January 21, 1842 – July 12, 1917) was the first renowned Puerto Rican scientist.

Early years

Stahl was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico where he rceived his primary and secondary education. He studied at the universities of Würzburg and Prague (presently known as Charles University in Prague), graduating from the latter with the title of Doctor of Medicine in 1864. After graduation Stahl returned to Puerto Rico where he established his medical practice in the city of Bayamón.

Ethnologist, Botanist and Zoologist

Outside work, Stahl's love of nature lead him to conduct investigations and experiments in the fields of ethnology, botany, and zoology. He also had a love of history and historical investigation.

Stahl has a genus, "Stahlia", and five valid species, "Argythamnia stahlii", "Senna pendula var. stahlii ", "Eugenia stahlii", "Lyonia stahlii", and "Ternstroemia stahlii", named in his honor. [cite web|url=http://ravenel.si.edu/botany/PRFlora/Stahl/index.cfm |title=Flora of Puerto Rico and the Virgin Islands |accessdate= 2006-09-17 |date= |year= |month= |format= |work= |publisher= ] The genus Stahlia is represented by a single species, S. monosperma (Tul.) Urb., known to occur only in Puerto Rico and the eastern Dominican Republic. Known in Puerto Rico as Cóbana Negra, this species is currently listed as threatened in the USFW Federal Register, Apr 5, 1990.

tahl's written works

Stahl's written works include:

* "Notes on Puerto Rico's Flora"
* "Report on the Disease of the Sugar Cane"
* "Puerto Rican Flora"
* "The Puerto Rican Indians"
* "The Founding of Aguadilla"
* "The Founding of Bayamón"

Stahl received many awards and recognition from such entities as the Spanish Anthropological Society, the Academy of Arts and Sciences of Barcelona, and the Academy of Medical Sciences of Catalonia.

Later years

Stahl was a firm believer that Puerto Rico should obtain independence from Spain, and was a member of the "Partido Autonomista Puertorriqueño", or Puerto Rican Autonomist Party. This group sought to create a separate political and legal identity for Puerto Rico while emulating Spain in all political matters. However, due to Stahl's political views, he was expelled from his position in the Civil Institute of Natural Sciences in Spain and was deported from Spain in 1898.

Stahl died in the city of Bayamón and his remains are buried in Bayamón's Municipal Cemetery. The city of Bayamón turned his former house into a museum to be enjoyed by all those who wish to learn more about him and his work. The Puerto Rican sculptor Tomás Batista created a bust to honour Stahl which can be found at the University of Cayey.

ee also

* List of famous Puerto Ricans
*Puerto Rican scientists and inventors

References

* A. Stahl, " _es. Flora De Puerto Rico: Acuarelas De Agustin Stahl Publicadas Por El Fideicomiso De Conservacion De Puerto Rico En Ocasion De Su Vigesimoquinto Aniversario." ISBN 0963342908
* Chardon, C. E. 1924. _es. Haciendo Patria. Homenaje al Dr. Agustín Stahl. Revista de agricultura de Puerto Rico. 12(11): 65-84.
* Coll y Toste, C. 1926. _es. Destierro del Dr. Stahl. Expulsión del Dr. Agustín Stahl de la isla. Boletín Histórico de Puerto Rico. Tomo 13: 59-60.
* Gutierrez de Arroyo, I. 1978. _es. El Dr. Agustín Stahl, Hombre de ciencia: Perspectiva Humanística [with bibliography] . _es. Universidad de Puerto Rico, Río Piedras.

External links

* [http://ravenel.si.edu/botany/PRFlora/Stahl/indexspan.cfm "The Botanical Legacy of Agustín Stahl", National Museum of Natural History, Smithsonian Institution]
* [http://www.zonai.com/noticia_mainm.asp?ZONAI:51862&pos=m&title=ZONAI&catid=138 Agustín Stahl]