Ateneo Puertorriqueño was founded in April 1876 by the most illustrious people of Puerto Rico at the time. Under the creative influence of Alejandro Tapia y Rivera and later under the tutelage of Manuel Elzaburu, and the enormous intellectual and administrative work of intellectuals of the stature of José Julián Acosta, Francisco de Paula Acuña, Cayetano Coll y Toste among many others; The Ateneo Puertorriqueño dedicated itself with zeal and high patriotic sense, to the development of its core purpose, which is, according to its Regulations and Constitution, the promotion of science, literature and fine arts.