Martínez, Antonio José 1793-1867

Antonio José Martínez was born in Abiquiu, N.M. in 1793. His family moved to Taos in 1804. Upon completion of his studies at the seminary in Durango, Mexico he returned to N.M., first to Tomé, then Abiquiu and finally Taos. Martínez, with others was responsible for bringing the first printing press to Santa Fe in 1834. The first printing press was primarily used to advance political, ecclesiastical, and educational agendas. Martínez is recognized as a champion of the common folk, a pastoral leader, progressive thinker, educator, politician, and as a publisher. He died in 1867 in Taos, N.M.

Antonio José Martinez was born in Abiquiu, New Mexico, in 1793. His family moved to Taos in 1804. He married María de la Luz Martín in 1812. She died a year later, leaving their infant daughter, who died in 1825.

Martinez studied in the seminary in Durango, Mexico from 1817-1823. Upon completion of his studies, he returned to New Mexico, where he was assistant to Cura Madariago of Tomé from December 1823 until March 1824, then pastor at Abiquiu. In July, 1826, Martinez was assigned to the Taos parish.

Antonio José Martinez, together with Licenciado Antonio Barreiro (an official of the Mexican government who was in New Mexico as legal advisor to the provincial authorities in Santa Fe), and Ramón Abreú (Provincial Secretary of New Mexico) were responsible for bringing the first printing press to Santa Fe in 1834. It is believed that Martinez published El Crepúsculo, New Mexico's first newspaper, although no issues have been found. The first printing press was primarily used to advance political, ecclesiastical, and educational agendas.

Martinez is recognized as a champion of the common folk, a pastoral leader, progressive thinker, educator, politician, and as a publisher. He is also known as the great antagonist of Bishop Jean Baptiste Lamy, the first Catholic archbishop of Santa Fe. Lamy ultimately excommunicated Martinez over issues relating to church tithing, the publication of articles criticizing the bishop, and the exercise of ecclesiastical functions without proper faculties.

Padre Antonio José Martinez died on July 27, 1867 in Taos.