Ana Roque de Duprey - Early Years

Early Years

Roque was born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. She lived among books and had learned how to write by the age of three. Her mother died when she was only 4 years old and she was raised by her father, aunt and grandmother, all who were educators. In 1860, when Roque was seven years old, she was sent to a regular school, and two years later graduated. She continued her home schooling and in 1864 at the age of eleven, became the youngest teachers assistant in Puerto Rico. In 1866, at age 13, she founded a school in her house. She also wrote a geography textbook for her students which was later adopted by the Department of Education of Puerto Rico. She applied for her teachers license and passed the examinations.