Background
Agustín Gamarra was born in Peru on 27 August 1785.
Agustín Gamarra was born in Peru on 27 August 1785.
He enrolled in the Spanish Army in 1810 and fought against patriot forces until 1820, when he joined José de San Martin’s army. Under the command of Simón Bolivar’s generals, Gamarra fought bravely in the battles of Junin and Ayacucho (1824). After serving as governor of Cuzco and participating in conflicts against Bolivia and Ecuador, he deposed President José de la Mar in 1829 and ruled Peru for four years. He continued to be active in politics and in the civil wars, constantly changing allies.
In 1839 he had the electoral college elect him president, but he did not finish his second term, being killed on November 8, 1841, while leading troops to force Bolivia to join a new confederation with Peru, this time under his leadership.
His domineering wife, Francisca, became known as La Maríscala (the lady Marshall), and was credited with making important decisions for him.