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Francisco Mariano Quiñones (1830 – 1908), born in San German, Puerto Rico, distinguished himself as a defender of the ideals of the abolition of slavery and the self-determination of Puerto Rico.
Quiñones went to school in Germany, France and in New York. At a young age he developed a life-long love for literature and journalism.
In 1867 Quiñones represented Puerto Rico before the "Overseas Information Committee" meeting in Spain. Together with Segundo Ruiz Belvis and Jose Julian Acosta, he demanded the abolition of slavery in Puerto Rico. He also protested the injustices practiced by General Palacio in the island.
In 1897, Spain granted Puerto Rico the rights to self-determination, which is considered the first step towards independence. Quiñones was named President of Puerto Rico's first Cabinet.
In 1898, after the Spanish-American War when the United Sataes converted Puerto Rico into a territory, Quiñones joins the Puerto Rican Republican Party founded by Jose Celso Barbosa and which champions the idea of converting Puerto Rico into a state of the U.S..
Quiñones was elected and served as a representative in Puerto Rico's Camara of Representatives in 1900 and 1902.
Among his most important works of literature are "Articulos, (1887)" and "Apuntes para la Historia de Puerto Rico, (1888)".
Francisco Mariano Quiñones died on September 13, 1908 and is buried in the City of San German.