Francisco Javier Zaldúa
Francisco Javier Zaldúa | |
---|---|
Secretary of Government | |
In office April 1, 1849 – April 22, 1850 | |
President | José Hilario López |
Personal details | |
Born | Francisco Javier Martínez de Zaldúa y Racines December 3, 1811 Bogotá, Cundinamarca, United States of Colombia |
Died | December 21, 1882 Bogotá, Cundinamarca, United States of Colombia | (aged 71)
Cause of death | Myocardial infarction[1] |
Political party | Liberal |
Spouse | Dolores Orbegozo y Mantilla |
Alma mater | Colegio de San Bartolomé |
Occupation | Judge, Prosecutor, Professor |
Profession | Lawyer |
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Francisco Javier Martínez de Zaldúa y Racines was a
Early life
Zaldúa was born in Bogotá, Cundinamarca, on December 3, 1811.[2] His father was don Manuel Maria Zaldúa, a prominent member of the Nueva Granada high society and a very wealthy man. He donated most of his fortune to the cause of independence and in particular to General Antonio Nariño. When the Spanish "Pacificador", General Pablo Morillo, made his triumphant entry in Bogotá, the Zaldúa family was attending the military parade. Zaldúa's father was so offended and outraged, that he suffered a massive heart attack and died instantly.[2]
Zaldúa studied jurisprudence and theology at the "Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé", where he graduated with a double mayor and obtained diplomas in Law and Divinity.[2]
Professional career
Zaldúa was a professor of Civil Law and Canonical Law between 1837 and 1866. He later entered the judicial branch where he advanced all the way to Justice of the Supreme Court.
Political career
Zaldúa initiated his political career by being elected to the City Council of Bogotá. In 1840 he was elected to the House of Representatives and, later to the Senate, both in representation of his native state of Cundinamarca. He was also appointed as Minister of Government during the administration of President José Hilario López.[3]
Zaldúa served as President of the Rionegro Convention, a constituent assembly that created the United States of Colombia, now the Republic of Colombia.[3]
Presidency
In 1881, the presidential campaign to succeed the conservative President
Zaldúa was 71 years old by then. Former president Aquileo Parra led the convention's commission that went to his home to request his acceptance. Zaldúa, in his acceptance speech said: “In the sunset of my life, I have nothing else to offer to the liberal party, but my last days. I hereby accept this nomination as my death sentence”. The Conservative Party abstained from the elections, and Zaldúa defeated fellow Liberal Solón Wilches. He was inaugurated on April 1, 1882.[4]
Death
Zaldúa died in Bogotá, in the Government Palace, on December 21, 1882. He was the first Colombian President to die while in office.[5]
Notes
- ^ a b Cardona Alzate, Jorge (2016-11-20). "Las enfermedades del poder en Colombia". El Espectador (in Spanish). Retrieved 2021-08-03.
- ^ a b c d e Arizmendi Posada 1983, p. 117.
- ^ a b Arizmendi Posada 1983, p. 118.
- ^ Arizmendi Posada 1983, p. 119.
- ^ Arizmendi Posada 1983, p. 120.
References
Arizmendi Posada, Ignacio (1983). Gobernantes colombianos, 1819-1983 (in Spanish) (2a ed.). Bogotá: Interprint.