Ricardo Alegría
(b. 1921)

Ricardo Alegría is a pioneer in the study of Puerto Rican history and culture. This San Juan native was one of the first social scientists to study the Taino culture—the native culture that existed in Puerto Rico for centuries before the arrival of Columbus. In his books, Alegría explores different aspects of complex Taino society. One of his books even focuses on the ball sport, played on a rectangular court, that was a favorite recreation of the Taino.

The multi-talented Alegría has made other important contributions in the fields of archaeology, anthropology, literature, and education. He has transcribed many Puerto Rican folktales and stresses their importance as a link to the island's African, Native American, and Hispanic past. His interest in Puerto Rican history and culture led him to establish several institutions of culture and learning—among them the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture and the Center for Advanced Study of Puerto Rico and the Caribbean. For Alegría's lifelong contributions to Puerto Rican scholarship and culture, President Bill Clinton awarded him the prestigious Charles Frankel Honor Award in 1993.

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