Francisco González Guinán
| Francisco González Guinán | |
|---|---|
 |
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| Minister of Development of Venezuela | |
| In office 1879–1880 |
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| President | Antonio Guzmán Blanco |
| Minister of Home Affairs of Venezuela | |
| In office 1887–1888 |
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| President | Hermógenes López |
| 139th Minister of Foreign Affairs of Venezuela | |
| In office 19 December 1908 – 13 August 1909 |
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| President | Juan Vicente Gómez |
| Preceded by | José de Jesús Paúl |
| Succeeded by | Juan Pietri |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 3 October 1841 Valencia, Venezuela |
| Died | 7 December 1932 (aged 91) Macuto, Venezuela |
| Profession | politician, historian, journalist |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Signature |  |
Francisco González Guinán (3 October 1841 – 7 December 1932), was a Venezuelan politician, journalist, lawyer, prominent historian of the 19th century in his country, and one of the main supporters of Antonio Guzmán Blanco.
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[edit] Background
González Guinán was born in Valencia, Carabobo, to lawyer Francisco González and Antonia Guinán, during the days of José Antonio Páez and the domination of Conservative Party. Received primary and secondary education at his hometown, graduating as bachelor in philosophy at the Carabobo school in 1857, in the same institute, starts the studies of case law (1858–1861), which ends at the Central University of Venezuela, obtaining the law degree in 1862, at this time the country was going through a bloody Federal War.
[edit] Career
After his studies in Caracas, returned to Valencia, starting at the journalistic activities, and founding on 5 January 1875, along with his father and his brother Santiago, the daily "La Voz Pública" (The Public Voice), dedicated to the support of President Antonio Guzmán Blanco and his government. In 1877, published a small manual for moral and civic education, with the title of "El Consejero de la Juventud" (The Counselor of Youth), which enjoy great popularity, having more than 30 editions.
In 1879, Guinán was secretary general of the Revolución Reivindicadora (Revolution of Claims), led by General José Gregorio Cedeño, with the main intention of returning power to Guzmán Blanco. On 26 February, after the returning of Guzmán to presidency, was appointed as Minister of Development. Between April, until December, 1879, was head of government of his native state Carabobo, from December, 1879 to July, 1880, was in charge again of the Ministry of Development. Later, returned to Valencia, being the director of "La Voz Pública".
In April, 1884, was designated as member of the Federal Council and Home Affairs Minister, also was acting prime minister in the early months of the government of President Joaquín Crespo, until September, 1884. In September, 1886, at the beginning of the third government of Guzmán Blanco, returns to the ministerial cabinet as Minister of Education. In the interim administration of Hermógenes López, was appointed to the Ministry of Home Affairs (August, 1887). In 1888, negotiated the support to the candidacy of Juan Pablo Rojas Paúl, in exchange for a new appointment as Minister of Home Affairs, among other conditions, but ends rejecting the charge in view of the reaction against Guzmán Blanco, leaded by Rojas Paúl in early 1889.
In the intervals of his political activity, Gonzalez Guinán started along with the help of General Manuel Landaeta Rosales, the publication of his "Historia Contemporánea de Venezuela" (Contemporary History of Venezuela), which covers the political life of Venezuela from 1830 to 1890, consisted of 14 volumes, published between 1891 and 1915 (with a 15 volume of an index made by Jesús María Herrera Irigoyen), constitute a major source for the study and understanding of the Venezuelan 19th century, despite the bias, towards a systematic praise to the actions of Antonio Guzmán Blanco. In 1888 González Guinán, was founding member of the National Academy of History.
Because of his opposition to the continuism of President Raimundo Andueza Palacio, his daily "La Voz Pública", was closed by government in June, 1892. In 1895, is senator for Carabobo, supports the project of restoring autonomy of the 20 Venezuelan states, but objects to the manner in which the government of President Ignacio Andrade intends to carry out the reform, forming part of the minority group of 25 deputies who voted against the draft submitted by the Government in 1899. Away from Andrade, serves as an intermediary leading the negotiations with Cipriano Castro leader of the Revolucíón Liberal Restauradora, who takes power in October, 1899.
Served as deputy for the Zamora state, being the vice president of the Venezuelan Chamber of Deputies from 1901, in October, 1907, found the original Acts of the Congress of 1811, which were lost. The authenticity of the manuscript, including the Act of the Declaration of Independence, is recognized by the National Academy of History on 5 July 1908. As member of the political friends circle of General Juan Vicente Gómez, González Guinán was appointed as Foreign Affairs Minister after the 19 December 1908 coup, that overthrown Cipriano Castro. Was secretary of the Presidency between 1910 to 1912, supervised the colocation of the Acts of the Congress of 1811 in Elliptical room of the Venezuelan Capitol, at the celebration of the centenary of the declaration of independence on 5 July 1911. In 1913, as senator for Carabobo, votes for the approval of the Venezuelan-French protocol.
After being involved in the conspiracy of General Román Chalbaud Chalbaud, fell in disgrace with Juan Vicente Gómez. Being away from the political activities, publishes a volume of stories, "Tradiciones de mi Pueblo" (Traditions of my people) in 1927, and writes his Memoirs, published in 1964.
Francisco González Guinán, dies in the town of Macuto, on 7 December 1932 at the age of 91.
[edit] See also
[edit] References
- (Spanish) Francisco González Guinán — Venezuelatuya.com.
- (Spanish) Francisco González Guinán — Venezuela Online.
