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Cayetano Coll y Toste born (November 30, 1850-November 19, 1930) in the City of Arecibo, Puerto Rico was a renowned Puerto Rican historian and writer.
Toste received his primary and secondary education in his hometown, Arecibo. In 1863, he entered the Jesuits Seminary College in San Juan and he graduated with a Bachelor's degree in Philosophy in 1868. In 1872, Toste went to Barcelona, Spain where he enrolled the "School of Medicine" of the University of Barcelona. He graduated with the title of Doctor in Medicine and Surgeon in 1872. During his stay in Spain, Toste was able to study historical documents relating to Puerto Rico which would serve him well in the future.
In 1874, Toste returned to the island where he set up his medical practice in Arecibo. In 1891, Toste was named director of the Catholic Hospital of Arecibo. He developed a love and an interest for literature, during his spare time. Not only did Toste become interested in investigating the history of Puerto Rico, but, he also took an active interest in the island's politics. Toste was the founder and director of a publication called "El Ramillete". He also colaborated with the "Revista Puertorriqueña" (Puerto Rican Review), "La Semana Politica" (Political Weekly) and "Plumas Amigas" (Friendly Pens).
In 1897, a year before the Spanish_American War, Toste was "Sub_Secretary of Agriculture and Comerce". Toste was also named "Regional Governor of Northern Puerto Rico" by the Spanish Crown. After the war, Toste was named "Civil Secretary" and in 1900 "Commissioner of the Interior" by the American, General Davis. He held the position of "Secretary of the Government" and he also became a delegate to Puerto Rico's "Camara of Representatives". In 1913 Toste was named "Official Historian of Puerto Rico" and among Toste's other civil positions were the Presidency of the "Puerto Rican Historical Academy" and of the "Ateneo Puertorriqueño".
Among his many written works are, "El Boletin Historico de Puerto Rico" (Historical Boletin of Puerto Rico), "Cronicas de Arecibo" (Cronicals of Arecibo) and "Legendas y Tradiciones Puertorriqueñas" (Puerto Rican Legends and Traditions). His research of the history of Puerto Rico gave people an insight as to everything that ocurred on the island from the times of the Tainos to the year 1927. One of his works "The Indo-Antillano Vocabulary" is valuable in understanding the way of live of the Tainos. His works are required reading in Puerto Rican high schools and Universities.
Spain bestowed upon Toste the title of "Comendador de la Real Orden Americana de Isabel la Catolica" (Commander of the American Royal Order of Isabel the Catholic) and the Government of Venezuela honored Toste with the title of "Caballero de la Orden de Bolivar" (Knight of the Order of Bolivar).
Cayetano Coll y Toste died on November 19, 1930 in the City of New York.
Puerto Rico has honored his memory by naming many public buildings and an avenue after him. Arcibo named its regional hospital "El Hospital Regional: Cayetano Coll y Toste".
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