Alejandro Ramírez (economist)

Alejandro Ramírez y Blanco (February 25, 1777 – May 20, 1821 [1]) was a Spanish economist.

Born in Alaejos, Ramírez studied Economy at the University of Alcalá, then immigrated to Guatemala in 1795. In 1802, he served as secretary to Guatemala's Captain general, Antonio González Mollinedo y Saravia. On December 12, 1812, Ramírez was sworn in as intendant of Puerto Rico. He established a series of economical reforms that helped reduce government expenses and established a fairer income tax, allowing the island's municipalities major control of their finances and making Puerto Rico self-sufficient.

Ramírez was one of the founders of Sociedad Económica de Amigos del País, and published Diario Económico de Puerto Rico, Puerto Rico's second-ever newspaper. In 1814, he founded the Real Lotería de Puerto Rico, the oldest lottery in the Americas. He also created an economical system to promote agricultural development.

In 1815, he was named Supervisor of the Finances of the Crown in Cuba, then Superintendent of Cuba and Intendant of Havana on July 3, 1816. During his tenure, he vouched for the abolition of the monopoly on tobacco. He also promoted a Royal Decree in 1818 establishing Cuba's right to commerce freely with other countries.

In 1818, Ramírez supported the foundation of the Escuela Gratuita de Dibujo y Pintura in Havana, which was then given the name of San Alejandro on behalf of him. He became the first Latin-American to become a member of the American Philosophical Society.