JOSÉ GÁLVEZ

José Gálvez

José Gálvez Egúsquiza was born in Cajamarca on March 17, 1819. His parents were José Manuel Gálvez and Mrs. María Egúsquiza. After studying at the Central School of Sciences and arts in his hometown, at the age of 22 he moved to Lima to study at the Convictorio de San Carlos. He attained his law degree in 1845 and for five years worked his career at Cerro de Pasco and Tarma.

In 1850 he became teacher at the school Guadalupe and two years later its Director. He took advantage of this time to instill in their students ideas Liberals, such as universal suffrage and the abolition of slavery. In 1854 he joined the liberal revolution of Ramón Castilla that overthrew President Echenique in the following year. 

Then it was Congressman and Chairman of the National Convention that drafted the Liberal Constitution of 1856.

In 1857 he became President Castilla opponent and in 1860, went into exile in Europe until 1862. In this year he returned to the Peru and was dedicated to the legal profession. In 1865 he became Dean of the Colegio de Abogados of Lima. The same year he joined the rebellion of Mariano Ignacio Prado to overthrow President Juan a.. Pezet and declare war on Spain for having invaded the Chincha Islands.

To take power, Prado appointed José Gálvez as his Minister of war and Navy. With this office organized the defense of the port of Callao, which was threatened by the Spanish Squadron. Galvez died at the battle of Callao (May 2, 1866), when a bomb fell in the deposits of gunpowder from the Tower of La Merced.