Rafael A. Cowley Valdés-Machado

He was one of the most eminent figures in Cuban medicine in the second half of the 19th Century and first decade of the 20th Century.

He was born in La Habana. He was part of an illustrious family of physicians. His father, Dr. Ángel J. Cowley Alvirdes, was the most notable professor of Therapeutics at the University of La Habana in the first half of the 19th century; his brother, Dr. Luis M. Cowley Valdés-Machado, an eminent professor of Public and Private Hygiene; and his son, Dr. Rafael A. Cowley Odero, supernumerary professor of Therapeutics, Materia Médica and Art of Prescribing, the only university professor who died in the wars for our independence.

He graduated as a bachelor in medicine and surgery on September 6, 1858, as a licentiate on October 20, 1859, and as a doctor on January 30, 1861. Although he completed all his studies at the University of La Habana, since the doctoral degree was abolished there from 1871 to 1878, he had to graduate as a doctor in natural sciences from the Central University of Madrid on November 29, 1872.

With a strong vocation for teaching, he dedicated himself to it at the University of La Habana from a very young age. Substitute professor of Physics in the courses of 1852-1853 and 1858-1859; of Therapeutics, Materia Médica and Art of Prescribing in 1859-1860 and 1861-1862; and auxiliary professor of the Faculty of Medicine, by virtue of public competition and appointment by Royal Order of February 15, 1866. In this latter position he held the chairs of Physiology and History of Medicine, uninterruptedly, from February 16, 1866 to March 28, 1871 when he was removed. He also served as substitute in the chairs of Surgical Clinic and Obstetrics during 1870.

Auxiliary professor of the Faculty of Medicine, by public competition, appointed by Royal Order of December 29, 1880, he performed opposition exercises of extraordinary brilliance in Madrid and obtained the chair of Therapeutics, Materia Médica and Art of Prescribing, as an entering full professor, appointed by Royal Order of November 25, 1882. He took office on December 21 following. He was Vice-Secretary, Secretary and Dean of the Faculty of Medicine and Librarian of the University of La Habana. Dr. Cowley Valdés-Machado held the chair until his death in La Habana on April 1, 1908.

Positions Held
He held many positions and received numerous honors throughout his fruitful life:

Physician of the military hospital of La Habana
Vaccinator of the Central Commission of La Habana
Member of the Central and Provincial Health Boards
Member of the Central Board of Charity and Beneficence
President of the Commission of Therapeutics
President of the Commission of New and Secret Remedies and founder of the Cowley Prize for topics of Therapeutics in the Academy of Medical, Physical and Natural Sciences of La Habana.
Of this latter institution he was supernumerary member (1864), full member (1866), honorary member (1898) and librarian (1869-1883). Of the Royal Economic Society of Friends of the Country of La Habana, full member (1865), member of merit (1882), secretary (1879-1891) and its vice-president.

Corresponding member of those in Jaén, Huelva, Almería, Sevilla, Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Santiago de Compostela, Palma de Canarias, Barcelona and Lérida. Honorary member of the Colombina Omnubulense Society. Member of the Ateneo de La Habana. Commander and Knight of the Royal Order of Carlos III.