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Early years
Ruiz Belvis was born in Hormigueros, Puerto Rico and received his primary schooling in Aguadilla. He graduated with a degree in philosophy from the University of Caracas of Venezuela and later earned his law degree from the Central University of Madrid in Spain. During his stay in Spain, he came into contact with the liberal and reformist elements who proposed the abolition of slavery.1
Abolitionist
In 1859, Ruiz Belvis returned to Puerto Rico and befriended Ramón Emeterio Betances, joining "The Secret Abolitionist Society" founded by Betances. The society baptized and emancipated thousands of black slave children. The event, which was known as "aguas de libertad" (waters of liberty), was carried out at the Cathedral of Mayagüez.2 Later, he moved to the city of Mayagüez where he established his law practice. Ruiz Belvis was named Justice of the Peace by the city's citizens. He was later appointed to the Mayaguez city council as a representative. His responsibilities included watching over the well being of the slaves in his district and the management of public funds. Ruiz Belvis became involved in politics and took up the cause of abolitionism in the island. 1
Ruiz Belvis returned to Madrid in 1865, as a representative for the abolitionist cause in front of the Cortes Generales. Even though his ideas were viewed as dangerous by the Spanish rulers, it was nonetheless the beginning of a movement which would eventually lead to the liberation of the slaves in the remaining Spanish Colonies in Latin America.In 1866, he inherited the family hacienda "Josefa" after his fathers death and the first thing he did was to free his slaves.1
Puerto Rican independence advocate
Upon returning to Puerto Rico, Ruiz Belvis found out that the Spanish appointed governor, José María Marchesi Oleaga, did not like the liberal ideas that Ruiz Belvis and his friends had and they were all banished in exile.2
Ruiz Belvis eventually ended up in New York in 1866, where together with Betances and other patriots formed the "Comité Revolucionario de Puerto Rico" (Revolutionary Committee of Puerto Rico) for the independence of Puerto Rico. An outcome from this venture was the plans of sending an armed expedition to Puerto Rico in what was to become known as the "Grito de Lares". During this time Segundo Ruiz Belvis became ill, but this did not keep him from traveling to the City of Valparaíso, Chile with the intention of obtaining financial aid for the planned revolution. 2
Ruiz Belvis died in Chile and never knew that the "Grito de Lares" failed. He did not live to see his dream come true, the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico on March 22, 1873. Segundo Ruiz Belvis died November 3, 1867 in Valparaíso, Chile, suffering from Fournier's gangrene. He is buried in the chapel of the Cemetery of Hormigueros.3
Legacy
To honor the memory of Segundo Ruiz Belvis, many avenues and a school in his birth town of Hormigueros have been named after him in Puerto Rico. There is a "Segundo Ruiz Belvis Cultural Center" in Chicago, Illinois and a "Segundo Ruiz Belvis Diagnostic and Treatment Center" in the Bronx, New York.4
See also
References
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