Benito Juárez, Mexico (1806-1872)
Mexican national hero and president (1861-72), born in San Pablo Guelatao, Mexico. He attempted to curb the power of the church and the army. His ideas for reform forced him to live in exile (1853-5), but he then joined the new Liberal government.
During the civil war of 1857-60, he assumed the presidency, upholding a free church in a free state. He was elected to that office on the Liberal victory (1861). The French invasion under Maximilian of Austria (1862) forced him to the far north, from where he directed resistance until the defeat of Maximilian in 1867. Juarez then triumphantly returned to the presidency and restored republican rule.