Agustín Stahl

Dr. Agustín Stahl (January 21, 1842 – July 12, 1917), born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, was one of that island territory's most important scientists.

Stahl studied medicine at the universities of Wartburg and Prague, where he graduated with the title of Doctor in Medicine in 1864.

When he returned to Puerto Rico, he immediately set up his medical practice in the city of Bayamón. However, his love for nature lead him to conduct investigations and experiments in the fields of ethnology, botany, and zoology. He also excelled in history and in investigating historical facts.

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

Stahl was a firm believer that Puerto Rico should have its independence from Spain and was a member of the Puerto Rican Autonomist Party . However, due to his political views, he was expelled from his position in the Civil Institute of Natural Sciences in Spain and was deported from Spain in 1898.

His 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 , and many others.

Stahl died in the city of Bayamón. His remains are buried in Bayamón's Municipal Cemetery. The city of Bayamón turned his 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 honor Dr. Stahl which is located in the University of Cayey.

The standard botanical author abbreviation A.Stahl is applied to species he described.

See also

List of famous Puerto Ricans