Ulises Francisco Espaillat facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Ulises Espaillat
15th President of the Dominican Republic
In office April 29, 1876 – October 5, 1876
Preceded by	Council of Secretaries of State
Succeeded by	Superior Governing Junta
Personal details
Born	February 9, 1823 Saint-Yague, Cibao Department, Haiti (now Santiago, Santiago Province, Dominican Republic)
Died	April 25, 1878 (aged 55) Santiago, Santiago Province, Dominican Republic
Nationality	Dominican
Spouse	Eloísa Espaillat
Children	6
Relatives	Francisco Espaillat (grandfather) Santiago Espaillat (uncle) Rhina Espaillat (1st cousin, 5x removed)
Occupation	Druggist/apothecary, spirits brewer, baker, politician

Ulises Francisco Espaillat Quiñones (born February 9, 1823 – died April 25, 1878) was an important Dominican writer and politician. He became the president of the Dominican Republic. His time as president was from April 29, 1876, to October 5, 1876. The Espaillat Province in the Dominican Republic is named after him.

Early Life and Education

Ulises Francisco Espaillat Quiñones was born on February 9, 1823, in Santiago. This city was known as Saint-Yague between 1822 and 1844. His family was wealthy and had roots from France, the Canary Islands, Aragon, and Genoa. He was the only son of Pedro Ramón Espaillat Velilla and María Petronila Quiñones Tavares.

His father's family came from France. His grandfather, Francisco Espaillat y Virol, moved to Santiago in 1758. At that time, about one-third of the people in Santiago were of French origin. People who knew Ulises Espaillat described him as a tall man with pale skin, blue eyes, and dark blond hair.

Learning and Career

When he was a child and teenager, Ulises learned many subjects. These included English, French, music, and mathematics. This was impressive because school education was limited during the Haitian occupation of the country. Later, his uncle, Dr. Santiago Espaillat, taught him about medicine. This uncle later became President-elect in 1849.

In the early 1840s, Ulises Espaillat opened his own pharmacy. In 1845, he married his first cousin, Eloísa Espaillat Rodríguez. She was the daughter of his uncle, Juan José Espaillat Velilla.

Political Career

Ulises Espaillat held many important jobs in the government. He was a Senator and a member of the House of Representatives. He also worked as the Customs Inspector for Puerto Plata. He was a member of the Provincial Deputation of Santiago.

He was against the Spanish taking control of the Dominican Republic again in 1861. Because of this, he had to leave the country. He returned in 1863. In 1864, he served as the Vice President.

Becoming President

With help from Gregorio Luperón, Ulises Espaillat won the presidential election on March 24, 1876. Espaillat believed in liberal ideas for politics and the economy. He wanted to give the Dominican people more personal freedoms. He also aimed to make the country's economy better.

However, he faced many challenges. He was forced to step down from his position on December 20, 1876. This happened because of rebellions in the southern and eastern parts of the country. He could not put his plans into action.

Legacy

Ulises Espaillat is remembered in the Dominican Republic. The Espaillat Province is named after him. Also, a metro station in Santo Domingo, the capital city, is called the Ulises Francisco Espaillat metro station.

Family Connections

President Espaillat is known as a very important ancestor for many of the leading and wealthy families in the Dominican Republic. His children and their families connected with many important families from Santiago. These families later became some of the richest in the country.

Images for kids

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  Christian marriage symbol

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  Marriage symbol

See also

In Spanish: Ulises Espaillat para niños