Philippines: Jose Rizal (1861-1896), Filipino reformer, nationalist, polymath and national hero, c. 1890

Jose Protasio Rizal Mercado y Alonso Realonda or popularly known as Jose Rizal (19 June 1861 – 30 December 1896) was a Filipino nationalist and polymath during the last years of the Spanish colonial period of the Philippines.

An ophthalmologist by profession, Rizal became a writer and a key member of the Filipino Propaganda Movement which advocated political reforms for the colony under Spain. He was executed by the Spanish colonial government for the crime of rebellion after an anti-colonial revolution, inspired in part by his writings, broke out.

Though he was not actively involved in its planning or conduct, he ultimately approved of its goals which eventually led to Philippine independence. He is widely considered one of the greatest national heroes of the Philippines.

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