Benigno Filomeno de Rojas Ramos (February 11, 1821 – October 30, 1865) was a Dominican lawyer, economists, and politician. He served as the Head of State of the Dominican Republic from January 24, 1865, until March 24 of that year. Before that, he served as the vice president of that country under President

Pedro Santana Pedro Santana y Familias, 1st Marquess of Las Carreras (June 29, 1801June 14, 1864) was a Dominican soldier and politician who served three times as the president of the First Dominican Republic (1844–1861) and was the first governor-genera ...

's administration from 1858 to 1861. He was the

president President most commonly refers to: *President (corporate title) * President (education), a leader of a college or university *President (government title) President may also refer to: Arts and entertainment Film and television *'' Præsident ...

of the

Senate of the Dominican Republic The Senate of the Dominican Republic () is the upper house in the bicameral legislature of the Dominican Republic, and together with the Chamber of Deputies makes up the Congress. The composition and powers of the Senate are established in Thir ...

in 1854.

Early years

He was born in the city of Santiago on February 13, 1811. His parents were Carlos de Rojas Valerio and María Antonia Ramos Nazario. His family left the country following the Haitian invasion of 1822. As a teenager he moved to

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

, where he was educated and adopted English and American constitutionalist doctrines, in addition to acquiring administrative experience as a British government official. Upon returning to the country in 1846, he stood out as one of the most enlightened Cibaeño intellectuals and focused his attention on the technical and administrative reform of the State.

Vice Presidency

He returned to the Dominican Republic when Independence had already been proclaimed in 1844. He was one of the main drafters of the Manifesto of the Revolution of 1857 waged by the liberals of Cibao against

Buenaventura Báez Ramón Buenaventura Báez Méndez (July 14, 1812March 14, 1884), was a Dominican conservative politician and military figure. He was president of the Dominican Republic for five nonconsecutive terms. His rule was characterized by corruption and ...

, whose victory determined the transfer of the capital of the Republic from

Santo Domingo Santo Domingo, formerly known as Santo Domingo de Guzmán, is the capital and largest city of the Dominican Republic and the List of metropolitan areas in the Caribbean, largest metropolitan area in the Caribbean by population. the Distrito Na ...

Santiago Santiago (, ; ), also known as Santiago de Chile (), is the capital and largest city of Chile and one of the largest cities in the Americas. It is located in the country's central valley and is the center of the Santiago Metropolitan Regi ...

. He held positions in the Senate. In 1858 he presided over the Constituent Congress that met in the city of Moca and elected

José Desiderio Valverde José Desiderio Valverde Pérez (1822December 22, 1903) was a Dominican military figure and politician. He served as the 7th president of the Dominican Republic from June 13, 1858 until August 31, 1858. Early years He was born in Santiago de ...

. In this government he held the position of Vice President. In addition to his political life, he was a lawyer, a profession that he practiced successfully. In 1861 he was one of the first to support the Restoration, becoming one of its leaders. He was chief of operations for President

Gaspar Polanco Gaspar Polanco Borbón (1816 – November 28, 1867) was a Dominican Republic military general and politician. He has been one of the most notable military figures in the history of the Dominican Republic and served as the country's president. ...

Presidency

It was a short-lived government. He had the initiative to create schools in each town and in the provincial capitals. He contributed to promoting education, while he held important positions, he founded primary and secondary schools. He had other projects to improve communication routes, but he could not carry them out. He ruled from January 24, 1865 to March 24, 1865.

Death

After being removed from office by President

José Antonio Salcedo General José Antonio Salcedo y Ramírez, known as "Pepillo" (1816 – November 5, 1864) was Dominican military leader who played a fundamental role in the Dominican Restoration War, which achieved the independence from Spain in 1865. A martyr, ...

and he retired to live in Moca. He held the vice presidency of the Republic three times. He died in Santo Domingo, on October 30, 1865.

Physionomy and character

General

Gregorio Luperón Gregorio Luperón (September 8, 1839 – May 21, 1897) was a Dominican revolutionary, military general, businessman, liberal politician, Freemasonry, freemason, and statesman who was one of the leaders in the Dominican Restoration War. Luperón w ...

once said about Benigno de Rojas:

References