Bernardo O'Higgins

Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme (Spanish pronunciation: [beɾˈnaɾðo oˈ(x)iɣins] ; 20 August 1778 – 24 October 1842) was a Chilean military officer, statesman and a major leader of Chile's successful struggle for independence from the Spanish Empire. He was the second Supreme Director of Chile from 1817 to 1823, the first holder of the title to head a fully independent Chilean state, and is considered one of Chile's founding fathers.

Born in Chillán, O'Higgins was of Irish and Basque-Spanish descent and the illegitimate son of Ambrosio O'Higgins, 1st Marquess of Osorno, who would later become the Governor of Chile and subsequently Viceroy of Peru. While studying in London, he became acquainted with Francisco de Miranda, developed a sense of nationalist pride, and became a member of the revolutionary Lautaro Lodge. Returning to Chile in 1802 following his father's death, he inherited a large estate and settled down as a wealthy landowner.

In 1810, a national junta was established following the deposition of King Ferdinand VII of Spain by Napoleon. O'Higgins was elected to the first National Congress of Chile a year later. He soon became embroiled in a conflict with José Miguel Carrera, who espoused a more specifically Chilean brand of nationalism. Their divide ultimately contributed to O'Higgins' disastrous defeat at Rancagua at the hands of the Royalists, leading to the fall of the Patria Vieja.

Following the reassertion of Spanish rule, O'Higgins went into exile in the newly independent Argentina, where he met General José de San Martín and helped assemble the Army of the Andes. In 1817, San Martín and O'Higgins crossed the Andes into Chile and achieved a decisive victory over the royalists at the Battle of Chacabuco. They then re-entered Santiago, where O'Higgins was proclaimed Supreme Director after San Martín declined the post. A year later, Chile formally proclaimed itself an independent republic, and independence was all but assured with the patriot victory at Maipú.

As Supreme Director, O'Higgins sought to create working institutions for the newly independent nation and improve its agriculture. He founded the modern Chilean Navy, and supported San Martín's forces in the liberation of Peru. His push for radical reforms on the other hand antagonized the aristocracy, the church and ultimately the business community. Widespread discontent forced his resignation in 1823, after which he went into exile in Peru, where he died in 1842.