# José Rizal

> Filipino nationalist, writer and polymath (1861–1896)

**Wikidata**: [Q1500](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q1500)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/José_Rizal)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/jose-rizal

## Summary

José Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba[1][2][3][4][5][6][7] and died from a gunshot wound on December 30, 1896, in Manila[2][3][4][5][6][8]. He was a deist[9] and was married to Josephine Bracken[8]. He pursued his education at the Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, Complutense University of Madrid, and Heidelberg University.Rizal worked as a writer, linguist, ophthalmologist, painter, political activist, and poet[2][10]. His professional fields encompassed literature, poetry, eye surgery, and ophthalmology[11].

## Summary
José Rizal was a Filipino nationalist, writer, and polymath (1861–1896) who is best known for his literary works, medical contributions, and political activism. He is celebrated as a national hero of the Philippines for his writings, which critiqued Spanish colonial rule, and his role in the Philippine Revolution.

## Biography
- Born: June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, Spanish East Indies
- Nationality: Filipino
- Education:
  - Ateneo de Manila University (philosophy)
  - University of Santo Tomas (medicine)
  - Complutense University of Madrid (medicine)
  - Heidelberg University (ophthalmology)
- Known for: Authoring *Noli Me Tángere* and *El filibusterismo*, pioneering eye surgery, and leading the La Liga Filipina
- Employer(s): Ateneo de Manila University, University of Santo Tomas, La Liga Filipina
- Field(s): Literature, medicine, ophthalmology, politics, revolutionary activism

## Contributions
- **Literature**:
  - *Noli Me Tángere* (1887): A novel that critiqued Spanish colonial rule and social issues in the Philippines.
  - *El filibusterismo* (1891): A sequel to *Noli Me Tángere* that further exposed colonial oppression.
  - *Mi último adiós* (1896): A poem written before his execution, expressing his patriotism and defiance.
- **Medicine**:
  - Pioneered eye surgery techniques, including cataract extraction and corneal transplants.
  - Developed methods for treating ophthalmic diseases, contributing to modern ophthalmology.
- **Political Activism**:
  - Founded the La Liga Filipina (1892), a secret society advocating for Philippine independence.
  - Advocated for reforms in education, governance, and social justice under Spanish rule.
- **Educational Leadership**:
  - Taught at the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of Santo Tomas, shaping Filipino intellectual thought.
  - Promoted the use of the Filipino language in education and literature.

## FAQs
**What were José Rizal’s most famous works?**
José Rizal is best known for *Noli Me Tángere* (1887) and *El filibusterismo* (1891), novels that critiqued Spanish colonial rule and social injustices in the Philippines. His poem *Mi último adiós* (1896) was written before his execution and expressed his defiance and patriotism.

**What medical contributions did José Rizal make?**
José Rizal pioneered eye surgery techniques, including cataract extraction and corneal transplants. His work in ophthalmology advanced medical knowledge and influenced modern practices in the field.

**What was the La Liga Filipina?**
The La Liga Filipina was a secret society founded by José Rizal in 1892. It advocated for Philippine independence and reforms in education, governance, and social justice under Spanish rule.

**Where did José Rizal study?**
José Rizal studied at the Ateneo de Manila University (philosophy), the University of Santo Tomas (medicine), the Complutense University of Madrid (medicine), and Heidelberg University (ophthalmology).

**What is José Rizal’s legacy in the Philippines?**
José Rizal is celebrated as a national hero of the Philippines. His writings and activism inspired the Philippine Revolution, and his contributions to literature, medicine, and politics continue to influence Filipino identity and culture.

## Why They Matter
José Rizal’s work had a profound impact on the Philippines and beyond. His novels, *Noli Me Tángere* and *El filibusterismo*, exposed the injustices of Spanish colonial rule, inspiring a generation of Filipinos to fight for independence. His medical innovations in ophthalmology advanced global eye care. As a revolutionary leader, he founded the La Liga Filipina, which played a crucial role in the Philippine Revolution. His legacy endures as a symbol of Filipino nationalism and intellectual achievement.

## Notable For
- Authored *Noli Me Tángere* and *El filibusterismo*, two of the most influential novels in Filipino literature.
- Pioneered eye surgery techniques, including cataract extraction and corneal transplants.
- Founded the La Liga Filipina, a key organization in the Philippine Revolution.
- Taught at prestigious institutions like the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of Santo Tomas.
- Celebrated as a national hero of the Philippines for his contributions to literature, medicine, and politics.

## Body
### Early Life and Education
José Rizal was born on June 19, 1861, in Calamba, Laguna, Spanish East Indies. He received his early education at the Ateneo de Manila University, where he studied philosophy. He later pursued medicine at the University of Santo Tomas and the Complutense University of Madrid. He further specialized in ophthalmology at Heidelberg University, where he trained under leading eye surgeons.

### Literary Works
Rizal’s literary works are among his most significant contributions. *Noli Me Tángere* (1887) is a novel that critiques Spanish colonial rule and social issues in the Philippines. It was initially banned but became a symbol of Filipino resistance. *El filibusterismo* (1891), a sequel to *Noli Me Tángere*, further exposes the injustices of colonialism. His poem *Mi último adiós* (1896), written before his execution, expresses his defiance and patriotism.

### Medical Contributions
Rizal’s medical work focused on ophthalmology. He pioneered techniques for cataract extraction and corneal transplants, contributing to the field’s advancement. His methods were innovative for his time and influenced modern eye surgery practices.

### Political Activism and Revolutionary Leadership
Rizal founded the La Liga Filipina in 1892, a secret society advocating for Philippine independence and reforms. His activism and writings inspired the Philippine Revolution. He was arrested and executed on December 30, 1896, but his legacy continues to inspire Filipinos.

### Educational and Intellectual Influence
Rizal taught at the Ateneo de Manila University and the University of Santo Tomas, shaping Filipino intellectual thought. He promoted the use of the Filipino language in education and literature, contributing to the development of a distinct Filipino identity.

### Legacy and National Hero Status
José Rizal is celebrated as a national hero of the Philippines. His works, medical innovations, and revolutionary leadership have left a lasting impact on Filipino culture and politics. His legacy continues to inspire generations of Filipinos to fight for justice and independence.

## References

1. Great Soviet Encyclopedia (1969–1978)
2. Spanish Biographical Dictionary
3. Integrated Authority File
4. National Archives of the Philippines
5. BnF authorities
6. LIBRIS. 2012
7. Czech National Authority Database
8. Library of the World's Best Literature
9. [Source](https://bangkanixiao.files.wordpress.com/2012/10/rizal-the-foremost-filipino-deist.pdf)
10. International Standard Name Identifier
11. CiNii Research
12. SNAC
13. Find a Grave
14. Brockhaus Enzyklopädie
15. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013
16. [Source](http://archiveswest.orbiscascade.org/ark:/80444/xv64163)
17. Q107631272
18. Virtual International Authority File
19. El filibusterismo
20. [Source](https://www.libertarianism.org/podcasts/portraits-liberty/liberal-hero-philippines-jose-rizal)
21. [Source](https://www.bartleby.com/library/bios/index14.html)
22. CONOR.SI
23. KBpedia
24. Bibliography of the History of the Czech Lands
25. Catalogo of the National Library of India