León Ortiz de Rozas

León Ortiz de Rozas (April 11, 1760 – August 15, 1839) was a Spanish military and politician, who had an active participation during the colonial and post colonial period of Argentina. He served as Commander in the military expeditions against the Indians during the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata.[1]

Capitán
León Ortiz de Rozas
portrait of León Ortiz de Rozas
Mayor of Buenos Aires
In office
1814–1814
Preceded by?
Succeeded by?
Comandante of the Regimiento Fijo de Buenos Aires
In office
1797–1809
Preceded by?
Succeeded by?
Personal details
Born
León José Ortiz de Rozas y de la Cuadra

April 11, 1760
Buenos Aires, Argentina
DiedAugust 15, 1839 (aged 79)
Buenos Aires, Argentina
Resting placeCementerio de la Recoleta
SpouseAgustina López de Osornio
Occupationarmy
politician
landowner
Professionmilitary man
Signature
Military service
AllegianceSpanish Empire Spain – until 1810
Argentina United Provinces of the River Plate
Branch/serviceSpanish Army
Years of service1767–1809
RankCaptain
UnitRegimiento Fijo de Infantería de Buenos Aires
Battles/warsCampaigns prior to the Conquest of the Desert
Spanish–Portuguese War
British invasions of the River Plate

Biography
His record of services until the year 1798

He was born in Buenos Aires, the son of Captain Domingo Ortiz de Rozas y Rodillo, born in Seville, and Catalina de la Cuadra, a noblewoman born in the city.[2] He began his military career in 1767 as a Cadet in the Infantry Battalion, then served in the Compañía de Granaderos with the rank of sublieutenant, and he was promoted to lieutenant on March 18, 1789. Some years later he reached the rank of captain,[3] serving in the Regimiento Fijo de Buenos Aires.[4]

He took part in numerous military campaigns against the indigenous who carried out massacres in the rural populations of the province of Buenos Aires. In 1785, he was taken prisoner by the tribes of the Pampas. He was captured on January 26, of that year and freed September 16, 1786.[5]

He and his family participated in the defense and reconquest of the city against the English invaders.[6] He retired from the army in 1809, after forty-two years of active service.[7]

He also had a short political career, serving as regidor of the Cabildo de Buenos Aires between 1811 and 1814.[8] In 1814 he held the position of interim alcalde and was appointed as supervisor of the weekly draws of the national lottery.[9]

León Ortiz de Rozas married September 30, 1790 in Buenos Aires to Agustina López de Osornio,[10] daughter of Clemente López de Osornio and María Manuela de Rubio, belonging to a distinguished Creole family. He and his wife had twelve children, Juan Manuel, María Dominga, Gregoria, Andrea Mercedes, Prudencio, Gervasio José, María, Juana, Benigno, Manuela, Dominga Mercedes and Martina Agustina.[11]

Through his mother, Ortiz de Rozas descended from the first conquerors of the Río de la Plata and Paraguay. Among his ancestors was the famous conqueror Domingo Martínez de Irala, born in Gipuzkoa.[12] He died on August 15, 1839, in Buenos Aires, being buried with military honors in the Recoleta Cemetery.[13]

References
  1. Las ideas políticas de Juan Manuel de Rosas. Arturo Enrique Sampay. 1972.
  2. Historia de la confederacion argentina. Adolfo Saldías. 1945.
  3. Arqueología e historia en la colonia espańola de Floridablanca, Patagonia. María Ximena Senatore. January 2007. ISBN 9789871354085.
  4. Rosas, "el gran americano". Instituto Nacional de Investigaciones Históricas Juan Manuel de Rosas. 1997.
  5. La Patagonia. José Miguel Yrarrázaval Larraín. 1917.
  6. Las dificultades de la historia científica y El "Rosas" del Dr. E. H. Celesia. Julio Irazusta. 1955.
  7. Perdón, Juan Manuel!: crónica de un regreso. Eugenio P. Rom. 1990. ISBN 9789602109991.
  8. Acuerdos del extinguido Cabildo de Buenos Aires, Volume 6; Volume 44. República Argentina. 1929.
  9. Notas sobre el origen y desenvolvimiento de la Lotería de Beneficencia Nacional. Lotería de Beneficencia Nacional y Casinos (Argentine Republic). 1965.
  10. Matrimonios 1747–1796. Catedral de Buenos Aires.
  11. Rozas: ensayo histórico-psicológico. Lucio V. Mansilla. 2004. ISBN 9789871136063.
  12. Revista, Volume 71. Círculo Militar (Buenos Aires, Argentina). 1971.
  13. Registro oficial de la provincia de Buenos Aires. Buenos Aires Province. 1874.
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