Biographical Overview & Key Facts

Subject:

Manuel Belgrano

Role / Field:

Argentine Founding Father, military leader, and proponent of independence.

Born:

1770-06-03

Died:

1820-06-20

Century / Era:

1770s Historical Era

Database Source:

2Day Chrono-Wiki & Wikipedia CC BY-SA 4.0

Origins & Early Life

Manuel José Joaquín del Corazón de Jesús Belgrano (3 June 1770 – 20 June 1820), usually referred to as Manuel Belgrano (Spanish pronunciation: [maˈnwel βelˈɣɾano]), was an Argentine public servant, economist, lawyer, politician, journalist, and military leader. He took part in the Argentine Wars of Independence and designed what became the flag of Argentina. Argentines regard him as one of the main Founding Fathers of the country. He was also a supporter of free trade.

Pivotal Works & Achievements

Belgrano was born in Buenos Aires, the fourth child of Italian businessman Domingo Belgrano y Peri and of María Josefa González Casero. He came into contact with the ideas of the Age of Enlightenment while at university in Spain around the time of the 1789 French Revolution. In 1794 he returned to the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, where he became a notable member of the criollo population of Buenos Aires; he tried to promote some of the new political and economic ideals, but found severe resistance from local peninsulares. This rejection led him to work towards greater autonomy for his country from the Spanish colonial regime. At first he unsuccessfully promoted the aspirations of Carlota Joaquina to become a regent...

Enduring Legacy & Impact

The historical impact and works continue to influence the modern world.

Contemporary Figures & Related Historical Timelines

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• Bertel Thorvaldsen — Contemporary (Born in 1770) (1770): Master sculptor of Neoclassicism, famed for monumental works across Europe.
• Alexander Cartwright — Contemporary (Born in 1820) (1820): Founding member of the Knickerbockers and developer of early baseball rules.
• Alexander Mackenzie (explorer) — Contemporary (Died in 1820) (1820): Scottish explorer and fur trader famed for crossing North America north of Mexico.
• Anne Brontë — Contemporary (Born in 1820) (1820): English novelist and poet, known for pioneering feminist themes in her works.
• Alain Resnais — Shared historical date (06-03 · Born) (1922): Pioneering French filmmaker exploring memory, consciousness, and narrative structure.
• Alice Stewart — Shared historical date (06-03 · Died) (2002): Pioneering British epidemiologist known for social medicine and radiation health studies.
• Adam Ferguson — Shared historical date (06-20 · Born) (1723): Scottish philosopher, historian, and 'father of modern sociology'.
• Amos Tutuola — Shared historical date (06-20 · Born) (1920): Pioneering Nigerian author blending Yoruba folklore with modern literary forms.
• 1770 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1770
• June 3 (06-03) On This Day — Historical birthdays and events on June 3
• 1820 Historical Timeline & Archive — Explore world events and figures from 1820
• June 20 (06-20) On This Day — Historical events and memorials on June 20

Frequently Asked Questions about Manuel Belgrano