Delma S. Arrigoitia (February 10, 1945 – January 8, 2023) was a historian, author, educator, and lawyer whose written works covered the life and works of some of Puerto Rico's most prominent politicians of the early 20th century. After earning her doctorate in history at

Fordham University Fordham University is a Private university, private Society of Jesus, Jesuit research university in New York City, United States. Established in 1841, it is named after the Fordham, Bronx, Fordham neighborhood of the Bronx in which its origina ...

in New York, she helped develop the graduate school for history at the University of Puerto Rico and taught there for many years.

Early years

Arrigoitia (birth name: Delma S. Arrigoitia Peraza ) was born in the city of

Arecibo Arecibo (; ) is a Arecibo barrio-pueblo, city and Municipalities of Puerto Rico, municipality on the northern coast of Puerto Rico, on the shores of the Atlantic Ocean, located north of Utuado, Puerto Rico, Utuado and Ciales, Puerto Rico, Ciale ...

to Enrique and Consuelo Arrigoitia. Her father had two sons from his first marriage, but Delma grew up mostly as an only child. She greatly enjoyed reading books.Ochoteco, Carlos
"Los Tres Hombres de Delma."
'El Vocero'', March 27, 2010; p. 30. Retrieved June 24, 2023. One of her brothers became a medical doctor, and the other obtained a doctorate in literature. She came from a distinguished family whose love for education and culture served as her inspiration. She received her primary education at the Colegio San Felipe de Arecibo and her secondary education at the University High School of the

University of Puerto Rico The University of Puerto Rico (Spanish language, Spanish: ''Universidad de Puerto Rico;'' often shortened to UPR) is the main List of state and territorial universities in the United States, public university system in the Commonwealth (U.S. i ...

(UPR) in Rio Piedras. Arrigoitia earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in history from the UPR, where she was also a

magna cum laude Latin honors are a system of Latin phrases used in some colleges and universities to indicate the level of distinction with which an academic degree has been earned. The system is primarily used in the United States. It is also used in some Sout ...

student, with the highest GPA in her academic concentration. Arrigoitia continued her studies to earn a master's degree in history. Her thesis was ''La Diputación Provincial de Puerto Rico, 1820–23''. For a short period of time, Arrigoitia taught humanities in the University of Puerto Rico before she proceeded to study law, earning her ''Juris Doctor'' degree. She practiced with the law firm of Hartzell, Ydrach, Mellado, Santiago before deciding to attend

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

to pursue a doctorate degree in history. There she earned her degree with a thesis on José de Diego. It was later published by the Institute of Puerto Rican Culture, titled ''José de Diego, el Legislador''. In this book, and in her later biographies, Arrigoitia drew on her legal experience to analyze and understand the laws created by the subjects of her political biographies, and their influence on the economic and political status of Puerto Rico in relation to the United States."'Resucita' a Antonio R. Barceló."
''Primera Hora'', January 16, 2009. Retrieved June 24, 2023.

Academic career

Arrigoitia returned to the UPR and helped establish, as coordinator, the institution's first graduate school of history, which offered a doctorate degree in history. She wrote the biography of Eduardo Giorgetti, a Puerto Rican millionaire who was another prominent political figure, titled ''Eduardo Giorgetti y su mundo: La aparente paradoja de un millonario genio empresarial y su noble humanismo''. During her years at the university, she wrote a rules and regulations manual for university professors. The Middle States Association (MSA) now requires compliance with this manual, as a prerequisite for UPR's accreditation by the MSA. As a university professor, Arrigoitia also traveled throughout Puerto Rico, giving conferences on De Diego and Giorgetti. In the late 1990s, Arrigoitia became interested in writing a book about Antonio Rafael Barceló, first president of the Puerto Rican Senate. The Senate offered her support during her research phase for ''Puerto Rico Por Encima de Todo: Vida y Obra de Antonio R. Barcelo, 1868–1938.'' The book was recognized by the Fundación Luis Muñoz Marín. In 2010, it was also noted as the year's best book in research and criticism by the Ateneo Puertorriqueño (Puerto Rican Athenaeum). Arrigoitia was awarded the "Premio Nacional del Instituto de Literatura" (National Award of the Literature Institute). It is the highest honor bestowed upon an author in Puerto Rico. The book won a first prize of $6,000, presented to Arrigoitia in a ceremony in July 2010.

2002 to 2023

After retiring in 2002 from the university, Arrigoitia concentrated on writing books. In 2012, she published her book ''Introduccion a la Historia de la Moda en Puerto Rico''. The book, which was requested by the high fashion designer Carlota Alfaro, covers over 500 years of history of the fashion industry in Puerto Rico. Arrigoitia also worked on a book about the women who have served in the Puerto Rican Legislature, as requested by the former President of the Chamber of Representatives, Jennifer Gonzalez. Arrigoitia also planned a book about the First Chamber of Delegates (1900–1903) of Puerto Rico. Arrigoitia was featured in the section ''Escenarios – Literatura'' in ''El Vocero'', a local newspaper, and in a piece titled ''Los Tres Hombres de Delma'' (The Three Men of Delma) on March 27, 2010. On April 5, she was also featured in the section ''Vidas Unicas'' in ''El Nuevo Dia,'' another local newspaper, and in a piece titled ''Exploradora del Genio Patrio'' (Explorer of the Patriotic Genre). Arrigoitia resided in Ocean Park,

Santurce, San Juan, Puerto Rico Santurce (, meaning Saint George from Basque language, Basque ''Santurtzi'') is the largest and most populated Barrios of San Juan, Puerto Rico, barrio of the Municipalities of Puerto Rico, municipality of San Juan, Puerto Rico, San Juan, the cap ...

. Arrigoitia died on January 8, 2023."Fallece Delma S. Arrigoitía Peraza, catedrática jubilada de Historia de la UPR."
''El Adoquín Times'', January 12, 2023. Retrieved June 24, 2023.

Written works

*''José de Diego, el legislador: su visión de Puerto Rico en la historia (1903-1918)''. San Juan: Instituto de Cultura Puertorriqueña, 1991. *''Eduardo Giorgetti y su mundo: La aparente paradoja de un millonario genio empresarial y su noble humanismo.'' San Juan: Ediciones Puerto, 2002. ; *''Puerto Rico por encima de todo: Vida y obra de Antonio R. Barcelo, 1868–1938.'' San Juan: Ediciones Puerto, 2008. *''Introducción a la Historia de la Moda en Puerto Rico.'' Editorial Plaza Mayor, 2012. ;

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