José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia y Velasco
Paraguayan lawyer, politician and dictator (1766-1840)
José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia y Velasco (1766–1840) was the dictator of Paraguay. He helped Paraguay become independent from Spain. Paraguay became independent from Spain in 1811. Francia y Velasco reigned from 1814 until his death in 1840.
Dr. José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia y Velasco | |
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| Consul of Paraguay | |
| In office October 12, 1813 – February 12, 1814 June 12, 1814 – September 20, 1840 | |
| Preceded by | Fulgencio Yegros (1813) Fulgencio Yegros (1814) |
| Succeeded by | Fulgencio Yegros (1814) Manuel Antonio Ortiz (1840) |
| Personal details | |
| Born | January 6, 1766 Yaguarón, Paraguay |
| Died | September 20, 1840 (aged 74) Asunción, Paraguay |
| Nationality | Paraguayan |
| Political party | Independent |
Francia y Velasco believed that Paraquay should be self-sufficient. During his reign, almost no goods were imported, and only yerba mate was exported. Leaves and twigs of this herb, Ilex paraguariensis, are the basis of the drink called "mate".
Further reading
change(An annotated publication of the archived collection of Francia's writings, the Colección Doroteo Bareiro, held by the "Archivo Nacional de Asuncion"):
- FRANCIA, 3 Vols. 600pgs each. Asunción, Paraguay: Editorial Tiempo de Historia. 2009. ISBN 978-99953-816-4-6.