José Bautista Aguirre

A Peruvian revolutionary who drafted Latin America's first republican constitution and championed indigenous rights during the South American independence movement.

José Bautista Aguirre (1794–1863) was a key figure in Peru's struggle for independence from Spain. As a lawyer and political leader, he co-authored Peru's first constitution in 1821, which abolished slavery and recognized indigenous rights—a radical move in a region dominated by colonial hierarchies. His constitution also established a federalist system, influencing later Latin American governance models. Aguirre led military campaigns against Spanish loyalists and later served as president of the breakaway state of South Peru. Despite his death in obscurity, his legal contributions remain foundational to Peruvian democracy. Explore his legacy via Spanish Wikipedia or the Latin American Studies Organization.