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Ramon Castilla

Ramón Castilla y Marquesado
RamonCastilla.jpg
26th President of Peru
In office
February 17, 1844 – August 10, 1844
Preceded by Domingo Nieto
Succeeded by Domingo Elías
31st President of Peru
In office
April 20, 1845 – April 20, 1851
Preceded by Manuel Menéndez
Succeeded by José Rufino Echenique
34th President of Peru
In office
January 5, 1855 – October 24, 1862
Preceded by José Rufino Echenique
Succeeded by Miguel de San Román
36th President of Peru
In office
April 3, 1863 – April 9, 1863
Preceded by Miguel de San Román
Succeeded by Pedro Diez Canseco
Personal details
Born (1797-08-31)August 31, 1797
Tarapacá, Viceroyalty of Peru
Died May 30, 1867(1867-05-30) (aged 69)
Tarapacá, Peru
Nationality Peruvian
Spouse(s) Francisca Diez Canseco
Profession Soldier (Field marshal)

Ramón Castilla y Marquesado (31 August 1797 – 25 May 1867) was a Peruvian caudillo and President of Peru four times. His earliest prominent appearance in Peruvian history began with his participation in a commanding role of the army of the Libertadores that helped Peru become an independent nation. Later, he led the country when the economy boomed due to the exploitation of guano deposits. Castilla's governments are remembered for having abolished slavery and modernized the state.

He assumed the presidency for the first time after general Domingo Nieto's death for a short period in 1844, then in 1845 until 1851, again from 1855 to 1862 and, finally, during a brief period in 1863.

Castilla was born in Tarapacá (then part of the Viceroyalty of Peru), the second son of Pedro Castilla, of Spanish-Argentine origin, and Juana Marquezado de Romero, who was of part Aymara descent. In 1807 he traveled to Lima at the age of 10 to study with his brother and later continued his education in Concepción, Chile, also helping his brother with his business. In 1817 he enrolled in the Spanish colonial army during Peru's War of Independence, fighting against the independence forces sent by Argentine general José de San Martín.

Castilla became a prisoner of war, but managed to escape and returned to Peru in 1821, deserting the Spanish Army and offering his services to José de San Martín, who enrolled him in the Patriot Army with the rank of lieutenant (a rank he had held with the Spanish Army). When San Martin resigned as "Protector of Peru", Castilla sided with José de la Riva Agüero, who in turn shortly became president in 1823.


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