Who was Bernardino Rivadavia? Everything You Need to Know

Quick Facts

Died At Age: 65

Presidents Argentine Men

Died on: September 2, 1845

place of death: Cádiz

City: Buenos Aires, Argentina

Founder/Co-Founder: University of Buenos Aires

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Childhood & Early Life

Bernardino de la Trinidad González Rivadavia y Rivadavia was born on May 20, 1780, in Buenos Aires. He was the fourth son of Benito Bernardino González de Rivadavia, a wealthy Spanish lawyer, and his wife María Josefa de Jesús Rodríguez de Rivadeneyra. At the time of his birth, Buenos Aires was a part of Spain's colonial empire.

He grew up to be an independent-minded young man and was an early advocate of freedom from Spanish rule. He attended the Royal College of San Carlos for some time but left before completing his studies.

He played an active role in the resistance to the British invasion of 1806 and participated in the May Revolution movement in 1810.

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Later Years

Bernardino Rivadavia soon became one of the leading figures of the Argentine Independence movement. In 1811, he became the Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of War as a member of the governing triumvirate.

In this position he was instrumental in bringing about several reforms. He played a major role in organizing the militia, disbanding the Spanish courts, freeing the press from censorship, and ending the slave trade.

The triumvirate, however, did not last long. The Spanish King Ferdinand VII returned to the throne by 1814 and started the Absolutist Restauration. In the wake of this political development, director Supreme Gervasio Posadas sent Rivadavia along with Manuel Belgrano to Europe to seek support for the United Provinces of La Plata, the original provinces of Argentina, from both Spain and Britain.

While in Europe, he visited Spain, Britain, and France as well. He stayed in Europe for six years and over this time he observed the growing development of the Industrial Revolution, and the rise of Romanticism. This sojourn also exposed him to the views of such thinkers as Bentham, Adam Smith, Jovellanos, and Campomanes.

Rivadavia returned to Buenos Aires in 1820. In 1821, Governor Martín Rodríguez named Rivadavia a minister in his government. He worked hard in this position, toiling for five years promoting a constitutional government in accordance with European liberal ideologies.

He focused heavily on improving the education and infrastructure in the city of Buenos Aires. He constructed many educational institutes including the University of Buenos Aires, and built the continent's first museum of natural science.

In 1826, Rivadavia was elected the first President of Argentina. He continued his work of augmenting the city’s cultural development and founded many museums, and expanded the national library.

He implemented many reforms which were influenced by his travels in Europe. He organized a Parliament and a system of courts, extended the right to vote to all males over the age of 20, guaranteed freedom of the press, and secured individual and property rights.

However, his efforts to encourage immigration were unsuccessful and his land reform program also proved to be a failure. Furthermore, he earned the ire of the church by abolishing ecclesiastical courts.

He became the president at a very tumultuous time in Argentina’s political history. Ongoing war with Brazil over territory in modern Uruguay depleted the government’s resources causing much resentment to the citizens.

Forced to resign in June 1827, he fled to exile in Europe in 1829. He returned to Argentina in 1834 but was immediately sentenced again to exile. He then went to Spain after spending some time in Brazil.

Major Works

Bernardino Rivadavia is much praised for his cultural initiatives and efforts to improve the education in Buenos Aires. He founded the University of Buenos Aires, the largest university in Argentina, in addition to several other institutions of educational and cultural significance. He is also credited to have built the Bernardino Rivadavia Natural Sciences Museum.

Personal Life & Legacy

In 1809, he married Juana del Pino y Vera Mujica, daughter of the viceroy of the Río de la Plata, Joaquín del Pino. The couple had four children.

He died on September 2, 1845, in exile in Spain. He was 65.

Bernardino Rivadavia Biography