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Antonio José Martinez Publications

 Collection
Identifier: MSS-188-SC

Scope and Content

This collection contains original printing press material from the press of Padre Antonio Martinez. The booklets are in Spanish. This is an artificial collection and additional material will be added as it is collected.

Dates

  • 1836-1859

Creator

Language of Materials

Spanish

Access Restrictions

The collection is open for research; shelved in High Security.

Copy Restrictions

Limited duplication is allowed for research purposes. User is responsible for compliance with all copyright, privacy, and libel laws. Permission is required for publication or distribution.

Biographical Information

Antonio José Martinez was born in Abiquiu, New Mexico, in 1793. His family moved to Taos in 1804. He married María de la Luz Marti­n in 1812. She died a year later, leaving their infant daughter, who died in 1825.

Martinez studied in the seminary in Durango, Mexico from 1817-1823. Upon completion of his studies, he returned to New Mexico, where he was assistant to Tomé, New Mexico resident parish priest Francisco Ignacio de Madariaga from December 1823 until March 1824, then pastor at Abiquiu. In July, 1826, Martinez was assigned to the Taos parish.

Antonio José Martinez, together with Licenciado Antonio Barreiro (an official of the Mexican government who was in New Mexico as legal advisor to the provincial authorities in Santa Fe), and Ramón Abreu (Provincial Secretary of New Mexico) were responsible for bringing the first printing press to Santa Fe in 1834. It is believed that Martinez published El Crepusculo, New Mexico's first newspaper, although no issues have been found. The first printing press was primarily used to advance political, ecclesiastical, and educational agendas.

Martinez is recognized as a champion of the common folk, a pastoral leader, progressive thinker, educator, politician, and as a publisher. He is also known as the great antagonist of Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy, the first Catholic archbishop of Santa Fe. Lamy ultimately excommunicated Martinez over issues relating to church tithing, the publication of articles criticizing the bishop, and the exercise of ecclesiastical functions without proper faculties.

Padre Antonio José Martinez died on July 27, 1867 in Taos.

Extent

1 Folder

Collection Available Online

"Religion" is available online
Title
Finding Aid of the Antonio José Martinez Publications, 1836-1859
Status
Completed
Author
Processed by B. Silbergleit
Date
©1999
Description rules
Describing Archives: A Content Standard
Language of description
English
Script of description
Latin
Language of description note
Finding aid is in English

Revision Statements

  • June 28, 2004: PUBLIC "-//The University of New Mexico::Center for Southwest Research//TEXT (US::NmU::MSS 188 SC::Antonio Jose Martinez Publications)//EN" "mmu1#mss188sc.sgml" converted from EAD 1.0 to 2002 by v1to02.xsl (sy2003-10-15).
  • Monday, 20210524: Attribute normal is missing or blank.

Repository Details

Part of the UNM Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections Repository

Contact:
University of New Mexico Center for Southwest Research & Special Collections
University Libraries, MSC05 3020
1 University of New Mexico
Albuquerque NM 87131
505-277-6451