Miguel Ángel de Quevedo

Who was Miguel Ángel de Quevedo?

Miguel Ángel de Quevedo was a Mexican architect, engineer, and environmentalist who founded Mexico City's Viveros de Coyoacán arboretum, as well as numerous other construction projects in Mexico City, and throughout the country, and promoted the conservation of Mexico's forests.

Don Miguel Ángel de Quevedo was born in Guadalajara, Jalisco, in 1862. He is called el apóstol del árbol for his dedication to the defense of Mexico's forests. He completed his studies in Engineering and afterwards worked for the Secretary of Agriculture. Quevedo founded the Sociedad Forestal Mexicana, Viveros de Coyoacán, and promoted the creation of small wooded areas near train stations. As an engineer, he constructed the Banco de Londres y México building and pioneered the use of hydro-electric power with a plant on the Río Blanco in Orizaba, Veracruz.

Some of Quevedo's drastic efforts to defend Mexico's forests were met with violent resistance from campesinos and agricultural officials who accused him of imposing draconian measures. Quevedo died in Mexico City on July 15, 1946.