Rafael Cordero (1790 – 1868), born in San Juan, Puerto Rico, was a self-educated Puerto Rican of African ancestry. His father was a poor man who worked in the tobacco fields.

Cordero's love of literature and his determination to teach and educate himself helped him to develop the skills and preparation to teach primary school.

At the beginning of the 19th century Rafael Cordero established, in his house, a free school for all children, regardless of race, who were unable to afford an education otherwise. Cordero maintained his educational center for 58 years at Luna Street in San Juan. There he taught reading, calligraphy, mathematics and Catholic instruction.

Among the distinguished alumni who attended Cordero's school were Román Baldorioty de Castro, Alejandro Tapia y Rivera and José Julián Acosta. He proved that racial and economic integration could be possible and accepted.

He was awarded the Premio de Virtud by La Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País , an economic club whose members were friends of Puerto Rico. He was given 100 pesos, which he in turn gave away to those in need.

In 1890, Rafael Cordero was immortalized in a painting titled La Escuela del Maestro Rafael Cordero by the artist Francisco Oller which can be seen in the Puerto Rican Athenaeum.

The house in Luna Street, where Rafael Cordero taught, was remodeled by the Government of Puerto Rico and is registered as a historical site in the National Register of Historical Places . There is a plaque on the outside that states the historical significance of the building and its relation to Rafael Cordero. The Teachers' Association of Puerto Rico (Asociacion de Maestros de Puerto Rico) annually awards the teacher who has distingished himself or herself in the field of public or private education with the National Medal Rafael Cordero.

In 2004, the Roman Catholic Church began the process of Cordero's beatification. This is the first step on the road to canonization.

See also

• List of famous Puerto Ricans