José G. Artigas, Uruguay (1764-1850)
Born in Montevideo José Artigas was regarded as a national hero of Uruguay.
He was the most important patriot leader in the wars of independence against Spain and is viewed as the father of Uruguayan independence. Artigas became the champion of federalism against the efforts of Buenos Aires to assert centralised control. In 1814 this struggle became a civil war. From 1820 he lived in exile in Paraguay. The independence of his native Uruguay was finally achieved on 27th August 1828.