Mariano Moreno
Mariano Moreno
Early Life and Education
Mariano Moreno was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina, on September 23, 1778. He was the son of Manuel Moreno, a lawyer, and María Josefa Arguibel. Moreno attended the Colegio de San Carlos in Buenos Aires, where he studied law. He graduated in 1799 and began practicing law in Buenos Aires.
Political Career
In 1806, Moreno was elected to the Cabildo de Buenos Aires, the city council. He quickly became a leader of the Cabildo and played a key role in the defense of Buenos Aires against the British invasions of 1806 and 1807. In 1810, Moreno was one of the leaders of the May Revolution, which overthrew the Spanish colonial government in Buenos Aires. He was elected to the Primera Junta, the first governing body of independent Argentina.
As a Journalist and Publicist
Moreno was also a journalist and publicist. He founded the newspaper La Gaceta de Buenos Aires, which became the official newspaper of the Primera Junta. Moreno used La Gaceta to promote the cause of independence and to attack the Spanish colonial government. He also wrote several pamphlets and articles in which he argued for the need for a democratic and republican government in Argentina.
Exile and Death
Moreno's radical views and his opposition to the more moderate members of the Primera Junta led to his exile in 1811. He was sent to Europe, where he continued to write and campaign for Argentine independence. However, he died in 1811, at the age of 33, under mysterious circumstances.
Legacy
Mariano Moreno is considered one of the most important figures in Argentine history. He was a key leader of the May Revolution and the Primera Junta, and he played a major role in the early development of Argentina as an independent nation. Moreno was also a brilliant journalist and publicist, and his writings helped to shape the political and intellectual landscape of Argentina in the early 19th century.