José de San Martín

San Martín, José de (1778–1850), Argentine patriot and hero of South American struggles for independence. Under his military leadership, Argentina fought successfully for its independence from Spain (1812). San Martín also, with the aid of Bernard O'Higgins, freed Chile (1817–18) and helped Simón Bolívar gain independence for Peru (1821–22). San Martín was born in Argentina but raised mainly in Spain, where he was educated as a professional soldier. After the struggles for South American independence were fought and won, he went to Europe (1824).

See also: Argentina; Chile; Peru.