José Gervasio Artigas
1764–1850 (age 86)
Biography
José Gervasio Artigas, born in 1764, is hailed as the father of Uruguayan independence and the champion of federalism in the Río de la Plata. He led visionary campaigns that united rural communities and emphasized popular governance and justice.
His insistence on equal rights for all and his willingness to stand alongside the people forged Uruguay's identity as a sovereign republic. The Artigas Mausoleum preserves his memory as a guiding light for future generations.