José Julián Martí Pérez

José Julián Martí Pérez (January 28, 1853 – May 19, 1895) was a Cuban nationalist, poet, philosopher, essayist, journalist, translator, lecturer, and publisher who is regarded as a Cuban national hero for his participation in the country's freedom from Spain. In addition, he was a significant character in Latin American writing. He was a prominent philosopher and political theorist who was politically involved. He became a symbol of Cuba's fight for independence from the Spanish Empire in the nineteenth century through his writings and political activities, and is known as the "Apostle of Cuban Independence."

From his adolescence, he dedicated his life to the promotion of liberty, political independence for Cuba, and intellectual independence for all Spanish Americans; his death was used as a rallying cry for Cuban independence from Spain by both Cuban revolutionaries and Cubans who had previously been hesitant to start a revolt.

Mart began his political engagement at a young age, having been born in Havana, Spanish Empire. He toured widely throughout Spain, Latin America, and the United States, increasing awareness and support for Cuban independence. His skill in uniting the Cuban émigré community, notably in Florida, was critical to the victory of Cuba's War of Independence against Spain. He was a pivotal player in the war's organization and execution, as well as the creator of the Cuban Revolutionary Party and its philosophy. On May 19, 1895, he was killed in combat during the Battle of Dos Roses. Mart is regarded as one of the finest Latin American intellectuals of the twentieth century. Poems, essays, letters, lectures, a novel, and a children's magazine are among his written works.

He contributed to various Latin American and American journals and started a number of them. His journal Patria was a crucial tool in his battle for Cuban independence. Many of his words from the book Versos Sencillos were transformed into the song "Guantanamera" after his death, which has become a popular representative song of Cuba. Freedom, liberty, and democracy are major themes in all of his works, which influenced Nicaraguan poet Rubén Daro and Chilean poet Gabriela Mistral. Mart's ideology became a major driving force in Cuban politics following the 1959 Cuban Revolution. He is also known as Cuba's "martyr."