Ramón Castilla

Castilla, Ramón (1797?–1867), president of Peru, 1845–51 and 1855–62. He joined the Peruvian independence movement in 1821 and fought the Spaniards alongside José de San Martín and Simón Bolívar. When he assumed the presidency, he ended a period of anarchy and is credited with bringing peace, stability, and economic improvements. Slavery and the taxation of Indians were abolished under his administration.

See also: Peru.