Matías Ramón Mella
Matías Ramón Mella | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Mella, in his military uniform, holding his iconic blunderbuss, c. 1840s–1850s | |
| 7th Vice President of the Dominican Republic | |
| In office September 14, 1863 – June 4, 1864 | |
| President | José Antonio Salcedo |
| Preceded by | Benigno Filomeno de Rojas |
| Succeeded by | Ulises Francisco Espaillat |
| 4th Minister of Finance of the Dominican Republic | |
| In office September 26, 1849 – April 8, 1850 | |
| President | Buenaventura Báez |
| Preceded by | Jacinto de la Concha |
| Succeeded by | Manuel Joaquín del Monte |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 25, 1816 |
| Died | June 4, 1864 (aged 48) Santiago, Spanish province of Santo Domingo |
| Resting place | Altar de la Patria |
| Party | Central Government Board |
| Other political affiliations | La Trinitaria |
| Spouse |
Josefa Brea (m. 1836) |
| Relations | Julio Antonio Mella (grandson) |
| Children | Ramón María, Dominga América María, Antonio Nicanor, Ildefonso |
| Parent(s) | Antonio Mella Álvarez and Francisca Javier Castillo Álvarez |
| Occupation | Businessman, politician, diplomat, independence leader |
| Profession | Minister of Finance of the Dominican Republic (1849 – 1850) Minister of War (1861 – 1864) |
| Known for | Firing the blunderbuss shot of February 27, 1844 Creator of the 1864 Guerrilla Manual |
| Awards | National hero |
| Nickname | Ramón |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Dominican Republic |
| Branch/service | Haitian Army
|
| Years of service | 1838–1864 |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | Reform Revolution Dominican War of Independence Cibaeño Revolution Dominican Restoration War |
| Honors | Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez and Mella |
Matías Ramón Mella Castillo (25 February 1816 – 4 June 1864), commonly known as Ramón Mella, was a Dominican revolutionary, politician, and military general. He is recognized as one of 'La Trinitaria', three figures involved in the proclamation of the First Dominican Republic. Mella contributed to the establishment of the country, now known as the Dominican Republic, and is recognized by the featuring of his name in the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez, and Mella.
Mella authored a guerrilla warfare handbook which played a key role in training soldiers during the Dominican Restoration War. He remained an active supporter of Dominican independence until he died in 1864, a year before Dominican independence was restored in 1865.