José Julián Martí Pérez  (January 28, 1853 – May 19, 1895) was a Cuban national hero and an important figure in Latin American literature. In his short life he was a poet, an essayist, a journalist, a revolutionary philosopher, a translator, a professor, a publisher, and a political theorist. Through his writings and political activity, he became a symbol for Cuba's bid for independence against Spain in the 19th century, and is referred to as the "Apostle of Cuban Independence."

“In this world, there must be a certain degree of honor, just as there must be a certain amount of light. When there are many men without honor, there will always be some others who bear in themselves the honor of many men.”
-  José Martí