Francisco Antonio Zea facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Francisco Antonio Zea
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Portrait by Pedro Lovera, c. 1874
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| Gran Colombian Ambassador to the United Kingdom | |
| In office 16 June 1820 – 28 November 1822 |
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| President | Simón Bolívar |
| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | José Fernández Madrid |
| Vice President of Colombia | |
| In office 17 December 1819 – 21 March 1820 |
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| President | Simón Bolívar Palacios |
| Preceded by | Office created |
| Succeeded by | Francisco de Paula Santander y Omaña |
| President of the Congress of Angostura | |
| In office 15 February 1819 – 7 September 1819 |
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| Deputy | Diego de Vallenilla |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Juan Francisco Antonio Hilarión Zea Díaz
23 November 1766 Medellín, Antioquia, Viceroyalty of New Granada |
| Died | 28 November 1822 (aged 56) Bath, Somerset, England, United Kingdom |
| Resting place | Bath Abbey 51°22′51″N 2°21′33″W / 51.38083°N 2.35917°W |
| Nationality | Neogranadine |
| Spouse | Felipa Meilhon Montemayor |
| Children | Felipa Zea Meilhon, Viscountess of Rigny |
| Occupation | Diplomat, botanist |
Juan Francisco Antonio Hilarión Zea Díaz (born November 23, 1766 – died November 28, 1822) was an important person from New Granada (which is now Colombia). He was a journalist, a scientist who studied plants (a botanist), a diplomat, and a politician. He served as the Vice President of Gran Colombia under President Simón Bolívar. He also worked as Colombia's Ambassador to the United Kingdom. There, he tried to get other countries to recognize Colombia as a new, independent nation.
Contents
Early Life and Family Background
Francisco Antonio Zea was born in Medellín, a city in what is now Colombia, on November 2, 1766. His father, Pedro Rodríguez de Zea Casafus, was from Spain. His mother, María Rosalia Ignacia Díaz Peláez, had family roots in Spain and also came from a well-known local family. He was baptized on November 23, 1766, and given the full name Juan Francisco Antonio Hilarión Zea Díaz.
In 1805, Zea married Felipa Meilhon y Montemayor in Madrid, Spain. She was born in 1788. They had one daughter named Felipa Antonia Zea Meilhon. She later married Alexander Gaulthier, who was a Viscount.
Education and Early Career
Zea started his education in Medellín. Later, he went to the Royal College and Seminary of Popayán. There, he met other young people who would become important leaders in Colombia's fight for independence. These included Francisco José de Caldas and Camilo Torres Tenorio.
He finished his studies in 1785. The next year, he moved to Bogotá to study law. He received a scholarship to attend the San Bartolomé College. He faced difficulties, including poverty and sickness. He even had to leave school for a while because he couldn't pay. However, with help, he continued his studies. In 1788, he became a grammar teacher, and in 1789, a philosophy teacher. These jobs helped him financially. He became a well-known tutor, even teaching the children of the Viceroy, who was like a governor.
Becoming a Botanist
While studying in Popayán, Zea wrote about his interest in nature. When he moved to Bogotá, he became known among the city's thinkers. In 1789, he was asked to join the Royal Botanical Expedition to New Granada. This was a big science project led by José Celestino Mutis to study plants. Zea decided to stop studying law and focus on science and research instead.
After some time, he was exiled from New Granada. He spent time in France on a science mission. When he returned to Spain in 1803, he was made the director of the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid. This was a very important science job.
Time in Spanish Exile
Francisco Antonio Zea often discussed political ideas with other future heroes of Colombian independence. He became a close friend of Antonio Nariño. In 1794, Zea was arrested along with Nariño and others. They were accused of spreading ideas about human rights, which were seen as dangerous by the Spanish government. Zea was sent to Spain and held as a prisoner for two years. He was first held in a castle in Cadiz, then in the city itself, and later in Seville.
In 1799, Zea and the other prisoners were set free. However, he had to stay in Spain because he had no money. He asked the king to be allowed to return to his work with the Botanical Expedition. He also asked for the pay he missed while in prison. While waiting, he became friends with Spain's Minister of Finance. This friendship helped him get a special trip to Paris. His mission was to update his scientific knowledge and buy new equipment. The government also likely wanted to keep him away from New Granada. He spent about two years in Paris, mainly studying chemistry. He also sometimes attended political meetings.
When he returned to Spain in 1803, he joined several Spanish science groups. He also became the editor of two important newspapers. He was appointed director of the Royal Botanical Garden of Madrid. This was a very respected position for someone from the Americas, especially after being in jail. He wanted to use this role to share the findings of Mutis's Botanical Expedition. He believed this would help New Granada develop and improve trade. He often asked to return home, but his requests were not granted.
Exile in France and Independence Efforts
In 1808, during the Peninsular War, France took control of Spain. Zea saw this as a chance to leave his job at the Botanical Garden. He quickly sided with the French. Because he spoke French well and liked French culture, he was one of the few people from New Granada who supported the French. Joachim Murat, a French leader, asked Zea to represent the Americans. Zea was one of 85 representatives from Spain called by Napoleon I of France to choose a new king for Spain. They chose Joseph Bonaparte, Napoleon's brother. Joseph Bonaparte later made Zea a prefect (a type of governor) in Málaga.
However, Zea's time as prefect was short. When the French were defeated in 1814, Zea had to escape from Spain. He went to London first, then returned to France for safety. During this time, Zea actively communicated with the American colonies. He tried to help their efforts to gain independence.
In 1815, he traveled to Santo Domingo to meet Simón Bolívar, a key leader in the independence movement. They became close friends. Zea then moved to Haiti to support Bolívar's campaign, as Bolívar had found safety there. In February 1816, Bolívar made him the Manager of Finance for the new states of New Granada and Venezuela. Zea chose to go to Venezuela to help Bolívar, even though he was offered a job in Haiti. Zea became one of Bolívar's closest advisors. He joined Bolívar in taking over Angostura in July 1817. Once there, Zea started a newspaper called Correo del Orinoco, which became the official newspaper of the new government.
Zea was not a military leader. But his wide knowledge, political skills, and ability to speak well made him a trusted advisor to Bolívar. He was given many important political jobs. These included Manager (1816), Member of the Provisional Government (1817), President of State and Finance (1817), and Deputy to the Congress (1819). He also became President of Congress (1819) and, after New Granada was freed, Vice-President of the Republic (1819). Finally, he was made a special Minister to other countries (1819).
Helping to Create Colombia
Leading the Congress
In 1819, Zea was part of the Congress of Angostura. This was a meeting organized by Simon Bolivar in Venezuela. Delegates from different provinces planned how to create the new independent nation of Gran Colombia. When the congress first met on February 15, 1819, Zea was chosen as the President of the Congress of Venezuela. This meant he was both a top leader and a top lawmaker.
However, there were soon disagreements. Many Venezuelans did not want a leader from New Granada. They felt they should be independent. Zea faced a lot of opposition from the Venezuelan military. They did not want to be led by a civilian, especially one from New Granada. Because of this, Zea stepped down on September 7, 1819. But he continued to be a member of the congress.
Becoming Vice President
On December 17, 1819, the Congress of Angostura approved the Constitution of 1819. This officially created the First Republic of Colombia. This new country was made up of three main areas: Venezuela, Cundinamarca (which included much of New Granada), and Quito (modern-day Ecuador). The Congress also elected Simón Bolívar as the First President of Colombia. Francisco Antonio Zea was chosen as the First Vice President of Colombia. They also elected individual Vice Presidents for the different areas.
Working as a Diplomat
As a special Minister to other countries, Zea's job was to get financial help from the British. He also needed to improve the image of the American colonies after their war for independence. He went back to England in June 1822. His goal was to get a loan of five million British pounds.
Zea found support for Colombia's independence from many sympathetic British people. They called themselves "Friends of South American Independence." Some important figures included General Gregor MacGregor and members of the British Parliament. On July 10, 1822, they held a dinner party in his honor. This was to show support and help raise money for Colombia. Sadly, Zea died shortly after, before he could finish his mission.
Death
Francisco Antonio Zea passed away at the age of 56 on November 28, 1822. He died at the Royal York House Hotel in Bath, England. He had gone there to use the famous hot springs for his health. His body was later buried at Bath Abbey on December 4, 1822.
See also
In Spanish: Francisco Antonio Zea para niños
