Carlos Manuel de Céspedes
Carlos Manuel de Céspedes | |
|---|---|
Painting of Carlos Manuel | |
| 1st President of the Republic of Cuba in Arms | |
| In office 1869–1873 | |
| Vice President | Francisco Vicente Aguilera |
| Succeeded by | Salvador Cisneros Betancourt |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 18 April 1819 Bayamo, Oriente Province, Captaincy General of Cuba, Spanish Empire |
| Died | February 27, 1874 (aged 54) Sierra Maestra, Oriente Province, Captaincy General of Cuba, Spanish Empire |
| Resting place | Santa Ifigenia Cemetery |
| Children | Carlos Manuel de Céspedes y Quesada Oscar de Céspedes |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Cuban Liberation Army |
| Years of service | From 1868 to his death in 1874 |
| Rank | Army General |
| Battles/wars | |
Carlos Manuel de Céspedes del Castillo (18 April 1819, Bayamo, Spanish Cuba – 27 February 1874, San Lorenzo, Spanish Cuba) was a Cuban revolutionary hero and First President of Cuba in Arms in 1868. Cespedes, who was a plantation owner in Cuba, freed his slaves and made the declaration of Cuban independence in 1868 which started the Ten Years' War (1868–1878). This was the first of three wars of independence, the third of which, the Cuban War of Independence led to the end of Spanish rule in 1898 and Cuba's independence in 1902.
Because of his actions which led to the eventual independence of Cuba, and the fact that three of his children died during his long fight for independence, he is known there as the "Father of the homeland".