Manuel Jacinto Presas Morales

Galeno who dedicated all his work and research efforts to the natural sciences, standing out in this field.

He was born in Matanzas. He studied Sciences and Medicine at the University of La Habana. In 1867 he received his degree as a Licentiate in Sciences and Doctor in Medicine.

As a university student, he substituted for his professor Felipe Poey in classes for three months. Upon settling again in his native city, he participated in the founding of the Section of Physical and Natural Sciences of the Artistic and Literary Lyceum of Matanzas where he held its secretariat. He later achieved the designation of Honorary Member.

He is considered the historian of that Section of Sciences based on published works. He is recognized as the principal collaborator of Felipe Poey in his Natural Physical Repertory of the Island of Cuba in which he published the Natural History of Cuba.

On November 27, 1867, he was admitted at only 22 years of age as an academician of the Royal Academy of Medical, Physical and Natural Sciences of La Habana, to be considered the youngest academician of all times in Cuba. While still very young, he was an Academician of the Royal National Academy of Medicine of Spain and of the Spanish Society of Natural History of Madrid, and in 1870 he became a Correspondent in Matanzas.

He published various articles in the newspaper La Aurora, in the Annals of the Section of Sciences of the Lyceum, and in those of the Royal Academy of Medical, Physical and Natural Sciences of La Habana.

He died in Matanzas at the short but fruitful age of 29 years on April 8, 1874.