José de San Martin, Argentina (1778-1850)
South American patriot, born in Yapeyú, Argentina. He played a major role in winning independence from Spain for Argentina (1812), Chile (1818), and Peru (1821).
He was an officer in the Spanish Army (1789-1812), but aided Buenos Aires in its struggle for independence (1812-1814). He raised an army in Argentina (1814-16) which in 1817 he led across the Andes into Chile, defeating the Spanish at Chacubuco (1817) and Maipo (1818) thus achieving independence for Chile. He then captured Lima, and became Protector of Peru (1821), but resigned the following year.