EncyclopediaMosquera, Tomás Cipriano de
Mosquera, Tomás Cipriano de (tōmäs' sēprēä'nō &thstrok;ā mōskā'rä) [key], 1798–1878, Colombian general and president. He first gained attention by his service in the war against Spain. As president (1845–49), he began as a conservative but became more liberal, sponsoring numerous reforms and encouraging the nation's material growth. After the conservatives gained control in 1856, Mosquera led a successful revolt (1860–62) that resulted (1863) in a federalist United States of Colombia. He served as provisional president until 1864. Domineering, unscrupulous, and violently emotional, he was feared and mistrusted even by his adherents, but he was, nonetheless, a vigorous leader. Although again elected (1866) president, he was imprisoned (1867), tried, and banished. He went to Peru, but returned later to become governor and senator of Cauca.
The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.
