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José Manuel Restrepo Vélez
Black and white woodcut portrait of José Manuel Restrepo Vélez published in "Papel Periódico Ilustrado" on 1 January 1982 based on a daguerreotype taken by Demetrio Paredes in 1863.
1882 Woodcut of José Manuel Restrepo Vélez published in Papel Periódico Ilustrado based on a daguerreotype taken by Demetrio Paredes in 1863.
1st Secretary of the Interior of Colombia
In office
7 October 1821 – 1830
President Simón Bolívar y Palacios
3rd Secretary of Foreign Affairs of Colombia
President Simón Bolívar y Palacios
Preceded by José Rafael Revenga y Hernández
Succeeded by José Rafael Revenga y Hernández
Governor of Antioquia
In office
2 September 1819 – 9 April 1821
Appointed by José María Córdova Muñoz
Preceded by José María Córdova Muñoz
Succeeded by José María Ricaurte y Nariño
Personal details
Born (1781-12-30)30 December 1781
Envigado, Antioquia, Viceroyalty of the New Granada
Died 1 April 1863(1863-04-01) (aged 81)
Bogotá, Cundinamarca, Granadine Confederation
Nationality Neogranadine
Spouse María Josefa Mariana Montoya y Zapata (1812–1863)
Alma mater College of Saint Bartholomew (LLB, 1808)
Profession Lawyer
Signature J Manuel Restrepo

José Manuel Restrepo Vélez (born December 30, 1781 – died April 1, 1863) was an important figure in Colombian history. He was a historian, a politician, and he also studied plants. An orchid called Restrepia is named after him!

Restrepo was born in Envigado, a town in the Antioquia region of Colombia. He studied law at the Colegio de San Bartolomé in Santa Fe de Bogotá. After finishing his studies, he worked as a secretary for leaders in Antioquia.

Early Life and Education

José Manuel Restrepo grew up in Envigado, a town known for its beautiful natural surroundings. From a young age, he showed a great interest in learning. He decided to study law, which was a very important field at the time. He attended the Colegio de San Bartolomé, a famous school in Bogotá. In 1808, he earned his law degree. This education prepared him for a life of public service and leadership.

A Leader for Independence

Restrepo played a key role in Colombia's fight for independence from Spain. From 1811 to 1814, he was a representative for Antioquia in the Congress of the United Provinces of New Granada. This was a group of regions working together to become free.

After Simon Bolivar helped Colombia gain independence, Restrepo continued to serve his country. In 1819, he became the Governor of Antioquia. This was during the time of Greater Colombia, a large country that included modern-day Colombia, Venezuela, Ecuador, and Panama. As governor, he helped build the new nation.

His Love for Nature and History

José Manuel Restrepo was not just a politician; he was also a passionate scholar. He was very interested in the geography and fauna (animals) of his home region, Antioquia. He spent time researching and documenting the natural world around him.

He was also a dedicated historian. He wrote important books about the history of Colombia's independence. His writings help us understand what happened during those crucial years. Because of his work studying plants, a type of orchid, Restrepia, was named in his honor. This shows how much he contributed to both science and history.

Important Roles in Government

Restrepo held several high-ranking positions in the new Colombian government.

Secretary of the Interior

From 1821 to 1830, he served as the Secretary of the Interior. This role was like being a chief minister, helping to manage the country's internal affairs. He worked closely with President Simón Bolívar y Palacios during this time.

Secretary of Foreign Affairs

He also served as the Secretary of Foreign Affairs. In this role, he helped manage Colombia's relationships with other countries. This was very important for a new nation trying to establish itself in the world.

José Manuel Restrepo Vélez dedicated his life to serving his country. He helped shape Colombia during its early years as an independent nation. His work as a politician, historian, and plant investigator left a lasting impact.

See also

Kids robot.svg In Spanish: José Manuel Restrepo Vélez para niños

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