21 Facts About Manuel Dorta-Duque

Manuel Antonio Dorta-Duque was a Cuban politician, lawyer, writer, university professor, and signator of the 1940 Constitution of Cuba.

Manuel Dorta-Duque was National Chief of the Order of Knights of Columbus and Rector of the Pontifical Academy of Social Sciences in Havana.

Manuel Dorta-Duque was named Defender of the Catholic Faith in Cuba, and on July 27,1950 Pope Pius XII granted him the Pro-Ecclesia et Pontiff distinction for his efforts.

Manuel Dorta-Duque was a benefactor and generous donor to the Catholic Church, and helped build the Iglesia Nuestra Senora de la Candelaria, dedicated to the Virgen from the Island of Tenerife, Canary Islands, where his ancestral roots can be found.

Manuel Dorta-Duque studied in Havana; first, in the Pious Schools, then in Colegio de Belen, where he graduated in 1914.

Manuel Dorta-Duque graduated with a Doctorate of Civil Law in 1918 from the University of Havana, where he founded the Journal of Law Students, and was the President of the Association of Law Students.

Manuel Dorta-Duque went on to teach at the University of Havana, as Professor of Mortgage Law and, thanks to his management, the School of Agrarian Law was created, of which he was the first Professor.

Manuel Dorta-Duque married Carmen Ortiz Reyes in 1919, with whom he formed an exemplary family in many ways.

Rev Juan Manuel Dorta-Duque, was their oldest son, who after studying in London, and in Rome at the Vatican, gained a doctorate in philosophy and became a Jesuit Priest.

Carmen Manuel Dorta-Duque, held a doctorate degree in education, and was a teacher and principal in several Catholic Schools in Cuba and later in Miami.

Franscico Manuel Dorta-Duque obtained a doctorate degree in philosophy and became a Jesuit Priest.

Manuel Dorta-Duque moved to the Dominican Republic where he had a long career as a journalist, and television and radio talk show host discussing religion, politics and current events.

Margarita Manuel Dorta-Duque, held a doctorate degree in law, and worked alongside her father in his law firm in Cuba.

Jorge Enrique Manuel Dorta-Duque held a doctorate degree in Mathematics and Physics, and went on to serve as Head of Public Works in Cuba.

Manuel Dorta-Duque wrote an extensive volume of legal and political essays and laws.

Manuel Dorta-Duque published Summary of an Elementary Course in Civil Law in 1925.

Manuel Dorta-Duque successfully represented the Salesian Congregation and Foundation of Dolores de Betancourt for Destitute Boys and Girls before the New York Supreme court in the lawsuit brought in 1930 by Angela del Castillo y Betancourt, contesting the will of Dolores de Betancourt.

Manuel Dorta-Duque's daughter contested the will, and it was appealed up to the New York Supreme Court, but Dorta-Duque was successful in protecting the assets of the Salesian Congregation, the Foundations and the Catholic Church.

Once again, Dr Manuel Dorta-Duque's participation was pivotal in these negotiations, as he was one of three opposition leaders, along with Dr Cosme de la Torriente and Mendez Penate, to inform Mr Welles that "all possibility of a peaceful solution was terminated".

Manuel Dorta-Duque was the Secretary of the Treasury of Cuba from October 1936 to December 1936.

Manuel Dorta-Duque was reelected to the House of Representatives in 1950.