Gregorio Luperón
Gregorio Luperón | |
|---|---|
Photograph of General Gregorio Luperón c. 1860s | |
| 20th President of the Dominican Republic | |
| In office October 7, 1879 – September 1, 1880 | |
| Preceded by | Cesáreo Guillermo |
| Succeeded by | Fernando Arturo de Meriño |
| Vice President of the Dominican Republic | |
| In office January 24, 1865 – March 24, 1865 | |
| President | Benigno Filomeno de Rojas |
| Preceded by | Ulises Francisco Espaillat |
| Succeeded by | Benigno Filomeno de Rojas |
| Personal details | |
| Born | September 8, 1839 |
| Died | May 21, 1897 (aged 57) Puerto Plata, Dominican Republic |
| Party | Blue Party |
| Spouse |
Ana Luisa Tavárez (m. 1865) |
| Relations | José Gabriel Luperón (brother) |
| Children | Luisa, Jacobo Leoncio, and Elena Maria Tavarez Bernal |
| Parent(s) | Nicolasa Luperón and Pedro Castellanos |
| Profession | Military General |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Dominican Republic |
| Branch/service | Dominican Army
|
| Years of service | 1857–1897 |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | Cibaeño Revolution Dominican Restoration War Six Years' War |
Gregorio Luperón (September 8, 1839 – May 21, 1897) was a Dominican revolutionary, military general, businessman, liberal politician, freemason, and statesman who was one of the leaders in the Dominican Restoration War.
Born in Puerto Plata in 1839, Luperón spent his early years as merchant, where he learned French to access a merchant's library. His revolutionary career began in 1857, during the Cibaeño Revolution against Buenaventura Báez. Luperón opposed the reincorporation of Santo Domingo into the Spanish kingdom and rose to prominence in the Dominican Restoration War. He became the commander-in-chief of the due to his strong patriotic sentiment and valor. Luperón was an active member of the Triunvirato of 1866, In the years after the Six Years' War, he assumed power in 1879 after the successful coup against Cesareo Guillermo, reorganizing the government according to liberal principles. During his government, he incentivised secularism in the Dominican Republic with the help of the General Captain of Puerto Rico and Eugenio María de Hostos. However, Luperón was exiled multiple times for opposing Ulises Heureaux's despotic government, leading to regret and disappointment. He later assumed the presidency of a provisional government in Puerto Plata, where peace, freedom, and progress prevailed.
Luperón is remembered for his famous last words. Because of his contributions, he is often considered the fourth founding father of the Dominican Republic.