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Dr. Agustín Stahl (January 21, 1842 – July 12, 1917), born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico - scientist.
Stahl studied medicine at the universities of Wartburg and Prague, where he graduated with the title of Doctor in Medicine in 1864.
After graduation Stahl returned to Puerto Rico where he set up his own medical practice in the city of Bayamón; however, outside work his love of nature lead him to conduct investigations and experiments in the fields of ethnology, botany, and zoology. He also had a love of history and investigating historical facts.
Stahl received many awards and recognitions from such entities as:
- The Spanish Anthropological Society,
- The Academy of Sciences and Arts of Barcelona, and
- The Academy of Medical Sciences of Catalonia.
Stahl was a believer that Puerto Rico should have independence from Spain and was a member of the Puerto Rican Autonomist Party. However, due to his political views, he was expelled from his position in the Civil Institute of Natural Sciences in Spain and was deported from Spain in 1898.
His works include:
- Notes on Puerto Rico's Flora,
- Report on the Disease of the Sugar Cane,
- Puerto Rican Flora,
- The Puerto Rican Indians,
- The Founding of Aguadilla,
- The Founding of Bayamón.
Stahl died in the city of Bayamón and his remains are buried in Bayamón's Municipal Cemetery. The city of Bayamón turned his former house into a museum to be enjoyed by all those who wish to learn more about him and his work. The Puerto Rican sculptor Tomás Batista created a bust to honour Stahl which is to be found at the University of Cayey.