Puerto Rican Politician, Educator. He received law degrees from Georgetown University in 1930 and 1931, and successfully passed the District of Columbia bar exam. Benitez earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Chicago in 1938. He was a Professor at the University of Puerto Rico from 1931 to 1942 and university Chancellor from 1942 to 1966. He was a member of the US Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) from 1948 to 1954. In 1952, Benitez was a key member of the convention that drafted the new Puerto Rican Constitution, and prepared the Bill of Human Rights contained in the final document. Benitez served as President of the National Association of State Universities from 1957 to 1958. In 1966 he became President of Puerto Rico's University System, serving until 1971. He was largely responsible for the expansion of the university, with the student body growing from 3,000 to 45,000 by the 1970s. In 1972 he was the successful Popular Democratic nominee for Resident Commissioner to the US House of Representatives, and served one four-year term, 1973 to 1977. He ran unsuccessfully for reelection in 1976, and then became a Professor at Puerto Rico's Inter-American University, where he taught until his retirement in 1986. Benitez suffered a stroke in 1994 and spent his final years out of public life.
Puerto Rican Politician, Educator. He received law degrees from Georgetown University in 1930 and 1931, and successfully passed the District of Columbia bar exam. Benitez earned a Master of Arts degree from the University of Chicago in 1938. He was a Professor at the University of Puerto Rico from 1931 to 1942 and university Chancellor from 1942 to 1966. He was a member of the US Commission for the United Nations Educational, Scientific and Cultural Organization (UNESCO) from 1948 to 1954. In 1952, Benitez was a key member of the convention that drafted the new Puerto Rican Constitution, and prepared the Bill of Human Rights contained in the final document. Benitez served as President of the National Association of State Universities from 1957 to 1958. In 1966 he became President of Puerto Rico's University System, serving until 1971. He was largely responsible for the expansion of the university, with the student body growing from 3,000 to 45,000 by the 1970s. In 1972 he was the successful Popular Democratic nominee for Resident Commissioner to the US House of Representatives, and served one four-year term, 1973 to 1977. He ran unsuccessfully for reelection in 1976, and then became a Professor at Puerto Rico's Inter-American University, where he taught until his retirement in 1986. Benitez suffered a stroke in 1994 and spent his final years out of public life.
Bio by: Bill McKern
Family Members
Advertisement
See more Benítez Rexach memorials in:
Explore more
Sponsored by Ancestry
Advertisement
