Tomás Estrada Palma
Tomás Estrada Palma | |
|---|---|
Estrada Palma in 1899 | |
| 1st President of Cuba | |
| In office 20 May 1902 – 28 September 1906 | |
| Vice President | Luis Estévez Romero and Domingo Méndez Capote |
| Preceded by | Office established |
| Succeeded by | José Miguel Gómez |
| 4th President of the Republic of Cuba in Arms | |
| In office March 1876 – October 1877 (Captured and imprisoned by Spanish forces) | |
| Preceded by | Juan Bautista Spotorno |
| Succeeded by | Francisco Javier de Céspedes |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Tomás Estrada Palma c. July 6, 1835 Bayamo, Spanish Cuba |
| Died | November 4, 1908 (aged 73) Santiago de Cuba, Cuba |
| Political party | Cuban Revolutionary Party (1892–1898) Moderate Party (1905-?) |
| Spouse | Genoveva Guardiola Arbizú |
| Children | Jose M. Estrada-Palma Guardiola |
| Occupation | Politician, educator |
Tomás Estrada Palma (Spanish: [toˈmas esˈtɾaða ˈpalma]; c. July 9, 1835 – November 4, 1908) was a Cuban politician, the president of the Republic of Cuba in Arms during the Ten Years' War, and the first President of Cuba, between May 20, 1902, and September 28, 1906. His collateral career as a New York City area educator and writer enabled Estrada Palma to create pro-Cuban literature aimed at gaining sympathy, assistance and publicity. He was eventually successful in garnering the attention of influential Americans. He was an early and persistent voice calling for the United States to intervene in Cuba on humanitarian grounds. During his presidency his major accomplishments include improving Cuba's infrastructure, communication, and public health.