Matías Ramón Mella
Matías Ramón Mella | |
|---|---|
Portrait of Mella, in his military uniform, holding his iconic blunderbuss, c. 1840s–1850s | |
| 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 |
| 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 |
| Personal details | |
| Born | February 25, 1816 Santo Domingo, Captaincy General of Santo Domingo (now Dominican Republic) |
| Died | June 4, 1864 (aged 48) Santiago, Spanish province of Santo Domingo |
| Resting place | Altar de la Patria |
| Nationality | Dominican |
| Political 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 Guerilla Manual |
| Awards | National hero |
| Nickname | Ramón |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance | Dominican Republic |
| Branch/service | Haitian Army
|
| Years of service | 1838–1864 |
| Rank | General |
| Battles/wars | 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 was a central figure in proclaiming the First Dominican Republic and advancing the cause of Dominican independence. Recognized as one of the three Founding Fathers of the Dominican Republic, he is commemorated in the Order of Merit of Duarte, Sánchez, and Mella, which includes his name.
Mella joined the independence movement and collaborated closely with Juan Pablo Duarte and Francisco del Rosario Sánchez to promote a vision of a sovereign Dominican Republic.
Mella contributed significantly to the establishment of the Dominican Republic, initiating the Dominican War of Independence. However, internal political disputes soon arose among former allies. Facing health issues and financial difficulties, Mella observed as many of his comrades faced consequences for their pro-independence efforts. In 1861, the country came under Spanish rule again. Supporting the pro-independence rebels, Mella developed a guerrilla warfare manual that played a key role in the Dominican Restoration War.
He remained active in the revolutionary cause until his death in 1864. In 1865, the revolutionaries secured victory against Spain, restoring Dominican independence.