Alejanro Tapia y Rivera (November 12, 1826 – July 19, 1882) was a Puerto Rican poet, dramaturg, essayist and writer born in San Juan, Puerto Rico. Tapia is considered to be the father of Puerto Rican literature and that no one else has contributed more to the cultural advancement of Puerto Rico in literature. In addition to his writing, Rivera was also a fervent abolitionist and a women's rights advocate.