Havana, July 31 (RHC) -- The Director of the Havana Historian’s Office, renowned Cuban intellectual Eusebio Leal, who died Friday morning, leaves a great legacy in the lives of Cubans.

He was born in the Cuban capital on September 11, 1942 and served as the historian of the City of Havana.  Self-taught, at the age of 16 he began working in the municipal government, like other young people interested in history, he was welcomed by the then historian of Havana Emilio Roig and guided on his calling. He presented academic proficiency exams at the Philosophy and History School of the University of Havana, which allowed him to enter the higher educational center by a Rector’s decree to study there in 1974, concluding his studies and getting a Bachelor of History degree in 1979.

Doctor in Historical Sciences and with a Master’s Degree in Archaeological Sciences, City Historian and Director of the World Heritage Restoration Program, he was distinguished in a particular way for restoration works in the Historic Center of Havana, declared by UNESCO in 1982 a World Heritage Site.  Director of the Museum of the City and of the City Historian’s Office, he undertook important works, such as the restoration of the Palace of the Captains General, former Government House, currently the headquarters of the Museum of the City of Havana. In 1981 he was given the responsibility of conducting the works of the Historic Center of Havana.

During his lifetime, he received numerous decorations and scientific degrees from various universities and governments and authorities around the world, such as the Knight of the National Order of the Legion of Honor, appointed by the President of the French Republic; the Order of the Liberator Simón Bolívar, from Venezuela; the Grand Cross of the Order of Carlos III in Spain; the Grand Cross of the Order of Isabel la Católica, also in Spain; the Order of Arts and Letters of France, as well as many others.

He was a member of the Cuban National Assembly, of the Cuban Communist Party, an honorary member of the Cuban Academy of Sciences, an honorary member of the National Union of Historians of Cuba and an honorary member of the Cuban Writers and Artists Association (UNEAC).