Mariano Moreno

Secretary of the May Revolution junta and the central figure of the radicals, who died at 33 on a diplomatic mission.

Life

Lawyer from Chuquisaca

Moreno graduated from the University of Chuquisaca in Upper Peru and was a lawyer. In 1809 he wrote the Representación de los Hacendados on behalf of the estancieros, arguing for open trade.

Secretary of the Junta

After the May Revolution of 1810 he became secretary of the Primera Junta, founded the Gazeta de Buenos Ayres, translated Rousseau's The Social Contract, and called for the resolute suppression of royalists and the spread of the revolution, leading the Junta's radical faction. An "Operations Plan" advocating harsh measures has traditionally been attributed to him, though its authorship remains disputed.

Death at sea

As his conflict with the moderate Junta president Saavedra intensified, he resigned in December 1810 and was sent to the United Kingdom on a diplomatic mission. He died at sea in March 1811, aged only 33. Even at the time some suspected he had been poisoned.

Legacy

Moreno is regarded as the forerunner of Argentine journalism and radical democratic thought, and June 7 (the day the Gazeta was first published) is Argentina's Journalists' Day.

Major works & achievements

• Gazeta de Buenos Ayres

Did you know? On his deathbed he is said to have declared: "Though I die, my homeland will live on."

Key dates

• 1809Writes the Representación de los Hacendados
• 1810Becomes Secretary of the Primera Junta; founds the Gazeta
• 1810Resigns
• 1811Dies at sea during a diplomatic mission