Francisco Montealegre Fernández
Encyclopedia
Francisco Montealegre Fernández (1818–1875) was a Costa Rica
n politician
and businessman.
in 1818. He was the son of Mariano Montealegre Bustamante
y Gerónima Fernández Chacón. He later married Victoriana Gallegos Sáenz, the daughter of the head of state José Rafael de Gallegos y Alvarado
.
He studied business in Great Britain. Upon returning to Costa Rica, he was active in the business world. He was the owner of valuable coffee plantations and was partner and manager of the powerful Banco Anglo-Costarricense. He also participated in other activities such as gold mining and the importation and sale of British goods.
's filibusters
, Montealegre served as an aide to President Juan Rafael Mora Porras
, together with his brother Mariano Montealegre Fernández
. From 1858 to 1859 he was also Deputy for San José and was among the opponents of the Cañas-Jerez Treaty
, which left Costa Rica without access to Lake Nicaragua
and with a limited right of navigation in the lower reaches of the San Juan River
.
Montealegre was out of the country in 1859, when a military coup overthrew Moro and installed his brother José María Montealegre Fernández
in his place. During the latter's government (1860–1863), he was an important political figure as the Secretary of the Treasury and Commerce.
In 1868, the Constitutional Convention Party
announced his candidacy for the presidency for the elections of 1869, but he declined the nomination. He was a member of the Constituent Assemblies of 1869 and 1870.
, where he died in 1875.
Costa Rica
Costa Rica , officially the Republic of Costa Rica is a multilingual, multiethnic and multicultural country in Central America, bordered by Nicaragua to the north, Panama to the southeast, the Pacific Ocean to the west and the Caribbean Sea to the east....
n politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
and businessman.
Early life and business career
Montealegre was born in San José, Costa RicaSan José, Costa Rica
San José is the capital and largest city of Costa Rica. Located in the Central Valley, San José is the seat of national government, the focal point of political and economic activity, and the major transportation hub of this Central American nation.Founded in 1738 by order of Cabildo de León, San...
in 1818. He was the son of Mariano Montealegre Bustamante
Mariano Montealegre Bustamante
Mariano Montealegre Bustamante was the first diplomat and first vice head of state of Costa Rica....
y Gerónima Fernández Chacón. He later married Victoriana Gallegos Sáenz, the daughter of the head of state José Rafael de Gallegos y Alvarado
José Rafael de Gallegos y Alvarado
José Rafael de Gallegos y Alvarado was president of Costa Rica's Junta Superior Gubernativa from October 1822 to January 1823 and head of state of Costa Rica from March 1833 until March 1835 and again from May 1845 to June 1846....
.
He studied business in Great Britain. Upon returning to Costa Rica, he was active in the business world. He was the owner of valuable coffee plantations and was partner and manager of the powerful Banco Anglo-Costarricense. He also participated in other activities such as gold mining and the importation and sale of British goods.
Political career
During the first phase of the war against William WalkerWilliam Walker
William Walker may refer to:* William Walker , sometime chief of the Wyandot Nation in Ohio and Kansas* William Walker * William Walker , an early governor of British Guiana...
's filibusters
Filibuster (military)
A filibuster, or freebooter, is someone who engages in an unauthorized military expedition into a foreign country to foment or support a revolution...
, Montealegre served as an aide to President Juan Rafael Mora Porras
Juan Rafael Mora Porras
Juan Rafael Mora Porras was President of Costa Rica from 1849 to 1859.He first assumed the presidency following José María Castro's resignation and was subsequently reelected in 1853 and 1859....
, together with his brother Mariano Montealegre Fernández
Mariano Montealegre Fernández
Mariano Montealegre Fernández was a Costa Rican businessman. He was the son of Mariano Montealegre Bustamante and Gerónima Fernández Chacón....
. From 1858 to 1859 he was also Deputy for San José and was among the opponents of the Cañas-Jerez Treaty
Cañas-Jerez Treaty
The Cañas-Jerez Treaty between Costa Rica and Nicaragua was enacted April 15, 1858 as a solution to the growing border tension between the two countries. The treaty was negotiated between Máximo Jerez representing Nicaragua and José María Cañas representing Costa Rica....
, which left Costa Rica without access to Lake Nicaragua
Lake Nicaragua
Lake Nicaragua or Cocibolca or Granada or is a vast freshwater lake in Nicaragua of tectonic origin. With an area of , it is the largest lake in Central America, the 19th largest lake in the world and the 9th largest in the Americas. It is slightly smaller than Lake Titicaca. With an elevation...
and with a limited right of navigation in the lower reaches of the San Juan River
San Juan River (Nicaragua)
The San Juan River , also known as El Desaguadero , is a 192.06 km river that flows east out of Lake Nicaragua into the Caribbean Sea. A large section of the border between Nicaragua and Costa Rica runs on the right bank of the river...
.
Montealegre was out of the country in 1859, when a military coup overthrew Moro and installed his brother José María Montealegre Fernández
José María Montealegre Fernández
José María Montealegre Fernández was President of Costa Rica from 1859 to 1863.Born into a wealthy family of coffee plantation owners, he was sent to study medicine in Aberdeen, where he graduated as a surgeon....
in his place. During the latter's government (1860–1863), he was an important political figure as the Secretary of the Treasury and Commerce.
In 1868, the Constitutional Convention Party
Constitutional Convention Party
The Constitutional Convention Party was a Costa Rican political party. It was formed in 1868 to oppose the presidential candidacy of Volio Julian Llorente....
announced his candidacy for the presidency for the elections of 1869, but he declined the nomination. He was a member of the Constituent Assemblies of 1869 and 1870.
Later years
In 1872 he moved to San Francisco, CaliforniaSan Francisco, California
San Francisco , officially the City and County of San Francisco, is the financial, cultural, and transportation center of the San Francisco Bay Area, a region of 7.15 million people which includes San Jose and Oakland...
, where he died in 1875.