Jaime L. Drew

Jaime Leopoldo Drew Henriquez (16 September 1876 – 14 April 1948) was an early twentieth-century Puerto Rican educator, civil servant, writer, and engineer from Ponce, Puerto Rico.

Early years Jaime Leopoldo Drew Henriquez was born in Barrio Playa, Ponce, Puerto Rico, on 16 September 1876, the son of Carlos M. Drew, a Dominican, and Matilde Henriquez, a Puerto Rican woman born in Naguabo. He lived in Ponce until age seven, when his family moved to the Dominican Republic. His family moved back to Ponce when Drew was eleven, and a year later, he moved to England where he completed his elementary and high school education.

Education After completing his high school training, he entered Wesleyan College of the University of London where he graduated with a bachelor's degree in Arts and Civil Engineering, graduating cum laude. He studied in London, England at Oxford University, becoming the first Puerto Rican to graduate from that university.

Career Jaime L. Drew was one of the three Ponce Municipal Board members entrusted with the building of the monument to the El Polvorin firefighters. After completing his Engineering degree, Drew practiced engineering in Puerto Rico and Venezuela. However, he became interested in the teaching profession instead. His first teaching jobs were in economically deprived rural areas of the Puerto Rican country side, including Adjuntas. and, in 1947, he served as head of the Freemason Society in Ponce (Respetable Logia Aurora de Ponce). He was also a Grand Master in the Ponce chapter of the Order of Odd Fellows of America. He also served in the board of directors of Albergue de Niños de Ponce.

Death A few months before his death, Drew started feeling weak and short of breath. After visiting with Dr. Pila, Drew returned to the classroom for a few months, but started to feel weak again, falling victim to heart disease. He died on 14 April 1948.

Legacy In northeast Ponce there is a residential sector named after him. In Ponce there is also an elementary school in the Baldorioty community, Barrio Segundo, also named after him. Also in Ponce, he is recognized at the Park for the Illustrious Ponce Citizens. His grave in Ponce at Cementerio Civil de Ponce is oftentimes honored by placing flowers, especially on 7 May, Día del Maestro (Day of the Teacher).