Who was José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Also Known As: Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia

Died At Age: 74

Family:

children: Ubalda García de Cañete

Born Country: Paraguay

Dictators Male Leaders

political ideology: Political part-Independent

Died on: September 20, 1840

place of death: Paraguay

More Facts

education: National University of Cordoba

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Childhood & Early Life

Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia was born on January 6, 1766, in Yaguarón, Paraguay, to García Rodríguez de Francia, an artillery officer turned tobacco planter, and his wife, María Josefa de Velasco.

He received his early education from the monastery school of San Francisco, Asunción. In April 1785, he obtained a doctor of theology degree and did his post-graduation in philosophy from the University of Córdoba.

Thereafter, he lectured at the Royal College and Seminary of San Carlos, but in 1792 left teaching to pursue law.

Later he became a lawyer and also mastered five languages including Spanish, French, and English. He was deeply disturbed by the “class system” prevalent in Paraguay as imposed by Spain, and being a lawyer, always tried to support and defend the less privileged citizenry against the wealthier ones.

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Career

In 1807, he became a member of the cabildo, the administrative council. The following year, he was appointed as the fiscal officer and by August 1809, he was elevated to the position of head of the Asunción cabildo.

On May 15, 1811, Paraguay's independence was declared and two months later, on June 17, 1811, he was appointed secretary to the national junta in a Congress meeting. But after serving for a short period he resigned from his post in August 1811 because of the army's dominance over Congress.

In October 1811, he returned to his post on the condition that Juan Bogarin, one of the five junta members, should be removed. After serving for two months, he resigned again in December 1811.

In November 1812, he returned again and was appointed as the Foreign Secretary to the National Junta, a post he held until October 1813.

On October 1, 1813, he was named as an alternate Consul of the Republic for a year, along with Fulgencio Yegros.

In March 1814, he barred the Spaniards from marrying each other with clear instructions that they had to wed Indians, blacks, or mulattoes if they wanted to marry.

In October 1814, Congress appointed Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia as sole consul, with absolute powers for three years. He consolidated his power to such an extent that in June 1816, he was given absolute control over the country for life.

For the next 24 years, he served as Paraguay's Supreme and Perpetual Dictator, popularly known as ‘El Supremo’. He imposed a ruthless isolation upon Paraguay, eliminating all external trade, but at the same time fostered national industries. He became known as a caudillo who ruled through ruthless suppression and random terror.

Major Works

Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia, or ‘El Supremo’, made some significant contributions towards the development of Paraguay. He emphasized national industries to make the nation self-sufficient.

He also introduced modern methods of farming and livestock raising, and played a key role in organizing the armed forces of the country.

Personal Life & Legacy

Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia maintained a ledger that contained information about all the women he had slept with. Despite not having any close relationships with any of these women, he became the father of seven illegitimate children.

He was a worrier and took several precautions to guard himself against assassination. He locked the palace doors himself, and slept with a pistol under his pillow. Whenever he went for a ride, he made sure that all bushes and trees along the route were uprooted so that assassins could not hide. He also instructed that all the shutters remain closed and ordered pedestrians to prostrate themselves before him as he passed.

Later in life, upon sensing his death, he destroyed all his papers and refused to take medical aid. Jose Gaspar Rodriguez de Francia died on September 20, 1840, in Asunción, Paraguay. He was given a state funeral where the priest eulogized him.

José Gaspar Rodríguez de Francia Biography