Diego de Torres Vargas

Father Diego de Torres Vargas was born in San juan, Puerto Rico and is considered to be the first Puerto Rican to write a book about the history of Puerto Rico.

Torres Vargas studied and graduated from the University of Salamanca in Spain. He returned to Puerto Rico where he was ordinated a preist. He held many important positions in the Cathederal and in Bishop's house in San Juan.

In 1647 he wrote a "Description of the Island and City of Puerto Rico". His book countained a detailed geographic decription of the island including a survey of all fruits, commerce, mines, churches, and hospitals, notices on the State and Capital and an extensive and erudite bibliography. This is considered to be the first atempt at writng an organized history of Puerto Rico.

On March 8, 1948, the Muncipal Assembly of San Jaun officially adopted , as the flag of the capital of Puerto Rico, a white field, in the center of which is the Coat of Arms of the City. The colors are based and taken from Father Diego de Torres Vargas' text, "Description of the Island and City of Puerto Rico".

Also See

• For more on Famous Puerto Ricans click here:List of Puerto Ricans