José de Jesús Esteves

José de Jesús Esteves (October 15, 1882 - November 1, 1918) was a Puerto Rican poet, lawyer, and judge in the Manatí Municipal Court. He was an expositor of the Modernismo literary movement, wrote a number of verse books and poems, and was a newspaper publisher.

Early life José de Jesús Esteves was born on October 15, 1882, in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico. He attended schools in his hometown and taught himself accounting. He studied law via correspondence with the University of the Potomac and graduated in 1912. He wrote three verse books, Besos y Plumas (Kisses and Pens) (1901), Crisálidas (Chrysalises) (1909), and Rosal de Amor (Rosebush of Love) (1917). His most famous works are "Sinfonía Helénica" (Greek Symphony), "Ronda de Anforas" (Round of Anforas), "El Ladrón" (The Thief), "Sauce Lírico" (Lyric Willow), and "Alma Adentro" (Soul Inside). In 1913, his poem "Alma Adentro" won a contest in Revista Mundial of Paris.

Esteves campaigned with the Federal and Unionist parties of Puerto Rico.