Lorenzo de Zavala
| Lorenzo de Zavala | |
|---|---|
 |
|
|
Vice President of Texas Interim |
|
|
In office March 16, 1836 – October 22, 1836 |
|
| President | David G. Burnet |
| Succeeded by | Mirabeau B. Lamar |
| Personal details | |
| Born | October 3, 1788 Tecoh, Yucatán |
| Died | November 15, 1836 (aged 48) Channelview, Texas |
Lorenzo de Zavala, born Manuel Lorenzo Justinian de Zavala y Sáenz, (October 3, 1788 – November 15, 1836) was a Mexican physician from Yucatán who became a gifted career politician, diplomat and author. Zavala had a keen intellect and was fluent in many languages. He was closely involved in drafting the constitution for the First Federal Republic of Mexico in 1824 after it won independence from Spain. Years later, through a remarkable series of events, he also helped in drafting a constitution for Mexico's rebellious enemy at the time, the Republic of Texas, to secure independence from Mexico in 1836.
Since his youth Zavala was an indefatigable believer in the principle of democratic representative government. As a young man he founded several newspapers and wrote extensively, espousing democratic reforms — writings which led to his imprisonment by the Spanish crown. While imprisoned, he studied medicine and after his release he practiced medicine for two years before entering politics.
Over his career he served in many different capacities including the Spanish Cortes (legislature) in Madrid representing Yucatán, and in Mexico's senate. He became Mexico's Minister of Finance, and served as Ambassador to France and Governor of the State of Mexico. In 1829, when the Mexican government was overthrown, Zavala was forced into exile and moved to the United States for two years. He wrote a book about U.S. political culture during this time and also traveled extensively in Europe. With his diplomatic experience and linguistic skills, Zavala was well received by foreign governments.
After exile he returned to Mexico and was appointed as Minister to France. While serving in Paris, Zavala saw that Mexican President Santa Anna was becoming a military-backed dictator, ignoring the Mexican Constitution that Zavala had helped write. Zavala resigned his position in protest and spoke out against Santa Anna. After this schism, Zavala could not return home and fled to Texas, then a Mexican territory, where he owned land. He eventually became an advocate of Texas independence to the point of helping in the drafting of the Constitution of the Republic of Texas, personally designing its flag, and serving as Vice President.
Some Mexicans consider Zavala a traitor to his homeland for supporting Texas independence. In modern-day Texas, there is a county and a city named for him, as well as many schools and public buildings including the Texas State Archives and Library Building in Austin.
...
Wikipedia