Simplify the following text for a Grade 8 native English-speaking person.
Original: JosÃ JuliÃ n MartÃ PÃ rez ( January 28 , 1853 -- May 19 , 1895 ) was a Cuban national hero and an important figure in Latin American literature .
Simplified: JosÃ JuliÃ n MartÃ PÃ rez ( January 28 , 1853 â `` May 19 , 1895 ) was a Cuban patriot , freedom fighter and poet .