Recognized for his book ‘’Historia Colonial Ariguanabense’’, José Rafael Lauzán Rodríguez, was born in San Antonio de los Baños, December 23 th, 1911. He belonged to the Revolutionary Communist Union and the Socialist People's Party. He was imprisoned on the Isle of Pines in 1933 and three years later he was arrested and charged with seditious propaganda. He was appointed on October 21st, 1938, by the City Council, Official Historian of the city of San Antonio de los Baños.
Lauzán actively participated in the congresses of the International Society for Historical Studies. Between 1940 and 1942 he published ‘’Apuntes sobre la Historia de San Antonio de los Baños’’. He was the Director of the local newspapers ‘’Horizontes’’ and ‘’Punto y coma’’. Deputy Director of the Gazette of the Public Library ‘’Francisco Vivanco’’ and of the Official Gazette ‘’Pro San Antonio de los Baños’’. Collaborator of the newspaper ‘’La Tribuna’’, the Gazette of the Commerce Chamber and the magazine ‘’San Antonio de los Baños’’. He participated in the founding of the Society of Journalists and Writers of Ariguanabo in 1941.
With the triumph of the Revolution he worked at the Ministry of Communications and then at the Institute for Standardization, Meteorology and Quality Control, until his retirement. Member of the Commission ‘’ Party’s History’’ of the Research Group of Speleology and Archaeology and of the Historians Union of Cuba. Jose Rafael Rodriguez Lauzán died on June 23rd, 1998. As a recognition of his work for the local culture, the Municipal Assembly of People's Power gave to him in 1999, the condition ‘’Illustrious Son of Ariguanabo’’.
