Custodio García Rovira facts for kids

Quick facts for kids José Custodio Cayetano García Rovira
President of the United Provinces of the New Granada*
In office January 21, 1815 – August 17, 1815
Preceded by	Triumvirate José María del Castillo y Rada, José Fernández Madrid, Joaquín Camacho
Succeeded by	Antonio Villavicencio
President of the United Provinces of the New Granada
In office June 30, 1816 – July 10, 1816
Vice President	Liborio Mejía
Preceded by	Liborio Mejía
Succeeded by	Fernando Serrano
Personal details
Born	March 2, 1780 Bucaramanga, Santander
Died	August 8, 1816 Bogotá, Colombia
Political party	Federalist
Spouse	María Josefa Piedrahita y Sáenz
Member President of the Triumvirate.

José Custodio Cayetano García Rovira (born March 2, 1780 – died August 8, 1816) was a brave general, leader, and even a painter from New Granada (which is now Colombia). He fought hard for New Granada to become independent from Spain. In 1816, he became the President of the United Provinces of the New Granada. Sadly, he was executed by Pablo Morillo during the Reconquista (a time when Spain tried to take back control) just a month later.

Early Life and Education

José Custodio Cayetano García Rovira was born on March 2, 1780. His parents were Juan de Dios García Navas and Rosa Rovira de García. He was born in Bucaramanga, a city in the Socorro Province. This area was part of the Viceroyalty of New Granada, which is now Colombia.

García Rovira was a very smart student. He went to the Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé in Santafé de Bogotá (now Bogotá). In 1799, he earned a degree in Philosophy. By 1804, he had a degree in Civil Law. He even earned a Doctorate in Theology later on!

He also studied at the Saint Thomas Aquinas University. There, he learned about Painting and Music. He even earned a degree in Fine arts. On April 29, 1809, he received his doctorate in Law. He officially became a lawyer in Santafé de Bogotá.

After finishing his studies, García Rovira returned to San Bartolomé. This time, he came back as a professor. He taught many subjects, including Algebra, Mathematics, Trigonometry, Philosophy, Metaphysics, and Ethics.

The Student's Social Life

Because he loved learning so much, García Rovira became very popular. He often attended Tertulias and salons in Bogotá. These were like social gatherings where people discussed ideas.

He was part of the Tertulia Literaria del Buen Gusto. This group met at the home of Doña Manuela Sanz de Santamaría. Many important people attended, like Francisco José de Caldas and Alexander von Humboldt. He also joined the Tertulia Eutropélica and the Tertulia of Antonio Nariño. In these groups, they studied the ideas of famous thinkers like Montesquieu, Rousseau, and Voltaire.

Because of his amazing education, people called him El Estudiante, which means The Student.

Political and Military Career

After the revolution on July 20, 1810, García Rovira started working for the new government. In August, he became a lawyer in Bogotá's Appeals Tribunal. Later, he was made a Lieutenant in the Army of Tunja. This appointment came from Tunja's Governor, Juan Nepomuceno Niño.

García Rovira became more involved in politics in Tunja. This was because the Congress of the United Provinces was located there. On July 25, 1812, he was chosen by popular vote to be the governor of the Socorro Province.

Serving in the Triumvirate

On September 23, 1814, the Neogranadine Congress changed how the country was led. They replaced the single President with a Triumvirate. This was a group of three leaders who would rule the country together.

Congress chose Manuel Rodríguez Torices, José Manuel Restrepo, and García Rovira for this Triumvirate. However, they were not there to start their roles right away. So, José María del Castillo y Rada, Joaquín Camacho, and José Fernández Madrid took their places temporarily. García Rovira decided not to take the presidency. He resigned on November 15, 1815, before ever officially starting. Restrepo also never accepted the position. In 1815, Antonio Villavicencio and José Miguel Pey permanently replaced them.

Becoming President

On June 22, 1816, President Fernández Madrid arrived in Popayán. He had fled Bogotá because Pablo Morillo's forces were invading. In Popayán, he resigned from his position.

The Permanent Legislative Commission of Congress was meeting in Popayán. They named García Rovira as the new President-Dictator. Liborio Mejía was named Vice President. However, Liborio Mejía became the acting President first. This was while García Rovira traveled to Popayán to accept the presidency.

A Wartime Marriage

García Rovira was leading troops behind Fernández Madrid on the way to Popayán. He was delayed by a surprising event. When Bogotá was invaded, many important people escaped. Among them was the Piedrahita Family. One of their daughters was María Josefa Piedrahita y Sáenz, known as "Pepita."

It's not clear if they knew each other before. But on the journey to Popayán, 16-year-old Pepita caught Custodio's eye. María Josefa asked him to take her with him. She preferred facing the dangers of the jungle to being captured by the Spanish. They quickly fell in love. Custodio asked María Josefa to marry him. So, in the middle of the war, they had a quick ceremony. Friar Francisco Antonio Florido, who was also fleeing Bogotá, married them.

His Short Presidency

Soon after Liborio Mejía became acting president, he led his small army. They faced Juan Sámano in the Battle of Cuchilla del Tambo. The patriots were defeated on June 29. Liborio Mejía escaped to La Plata. There, he met García Rovira and gave him the presidency the next day, June 30. So, García Rovira finally became president as planned.

Unfortunately, their time as leaders was very short. Sámano caught up with them in La Plata. He defeated their small, outnumbered forces. They managed to escape, but soon after, both were captured and taken prisoner.

When they arrived at La Plata, their remaining small army faced a Spanish army. This army was led by Colonel Carlos Toirá. They fought bravely, but they were defeated on July 10. Those who managed to escape, including García Rovira, were captured a few days later. They were taken to Bogotá. On August 8, 1816, García Rovira was executed. This happened in the Huerta de Jaime, which is now called the Plaza de los Martires (Plaza of the Martyrs).

Legacy and Remembrance

García Rovira died at the age of 36. He left behind his wife, María Josefa Piedrahita. They had been married for less than two months. Years later, after the Spanish were defeated, Francisco de Paula Santander gave pensions to the widows of the independence heroes. María Josefa Piedrahita de García was one of them.

García Rovira is highly respected as a hero of independence. His memory lives on, especially in the Department of Santander. This is where he was born and where he served as governor of the Socorro Province. This province was later renamed in his honor and is now called the García Rovira Province.

In Bucaramanga, his hometown, the first statue ever built was in his honor in 1907. It was a metal sculpture by the German artist Xavier Arnold. It stands in a park also named after him, Parque García Rovira. This park is in the center of the city, next to the City Hall.

Also in Bucaramanga, the city honored the former president and painter by opening the Casa de la Cultura Custodio García Rovira. This is a fine arts museum that shows exhibitions by different painters.

See also

In Spanish: Custodio García Rovira para niños