A legacy of excellence and courage
84 years ago, one of the great myths of medicine and the Valencian intelligentsia was brutally silenced. Dr. Joan Baptista Peset i Aleixandre, born in an influential family of doctors in Godella, was executed in an act that reflected the bigotry of the Franco regime.
A brilliant college degree
With an impressive curriculum, Peset studied medicine, chemical sciences and law, as well as completing a expert expert in industrial mechanics. At the age of 24, he was appointed professor at the University of Seville, where he played a key role in the fight against the typhus epidemic affecting the city.
Innovative Initiatives in Valencia
Upon returning to Valencia at the age of 30, he founded the Provincial Hygiene Institute, where he developed effective treatment against purulent meningitis. His dedication to public health led him to be elected rector of the University of Valencia in 1932.
An unwavering political commitment
Peset was not only a prominent scientist, but also a firm defender of democracy. He militated in the Republican Left Party and was the most voted candidate in Valencia during the general election of 1936, representing the Popular Frente Platform.
The price of courage
With the beginning of the Civil War and Franco’s occupation, Peset refused to leave his students and patients, and was detained on several occasions. Accused of treason, he was sentenced to death in a judgment that reflected the repression of the regime.
A support movement and its executory
His conviction caused a wave of popular support, led by the archbishop of Valencia, who collected thousands of signatures to ask for his pardon. Despite efforts, the regime responded with fierce violence and the sentence was quickly executed.
The last gesture of solidarity
A few minutes before his death, Peset performed a hernia operation to a detainee, an act that symbolized his humanity until the end.
The tribute of the Valencian letters
Years after his death, the poet Vicent Andrés i Estellés would dedicate him to memorable verses that emphasized his kindness and intelligence, immortalizing his figure as a pillar of Valencian society.
Reflections on his life and legacy
The figure of Dr. Peset is a reminder of the struggle for freedom and dignity in times of deep adversity. Its history invites us to reflect on the importance of defending human values and justice in any context.