Juan Antonio Lavalleja

Juan Antonio Lavalleja (June 24, 1784 October 22, 1853) was a Uruguayan revolutionary and political figure. He was born in Minas, nowadays being located in the Lavalleja Department, which was named after him.

Juan Antonio Lavalleja
Juan Antonio Lavalleja
President of Uruguay
In office
1853–1853
Preceded byVenancio Flores
Succeeded byFructuoso Rivera

Pre-Independence role

He led the group called "Thirty-Three Orientals" during Uruguay's Declaration of Independence from Brazil in 1825. His leadership of this group has taken on somewhat mythic proportions in popular Uruguayan historiography.

Post-Independence career

After Uruguay's independence in 1825, Lavalleja sought the presidency as a rival to Fructuoso Rivera in 1830, who won. In protest to his loss, Lavalleja staged revolts. He was part of a triumvirate chosen in 1852 to govern Uruguay, but died shortly after his accession to power.

Historical legacy

Lavalleja is remembered as a rebel who led the fight against Brazil. But as one of the major figures in early, post-independence Uruguayan history he is identified as a skilled but reactionary warrior who contributed to the culture of intermittent civil war which dogged Uruguay for much of the 19th century.

Family

Lavalleja married Ana Monterroso in 1817; she was sister of José Benito Monterroso, cleric and secretary of José Gervasio Artigas.

Bibliography

  • Setembrino Pereda, La leyenda del arroyo Monzón, Lavalleja y Rivera. Montevideo: 1935.

See also

Political offices
Preceded by
Venancio Flores
President of Uruguay
1853
Succeeded by
Fructuoso Rivera


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