Vicente Rocafuerte

Vicente Rocafuerte y Bejarano (May 1, 1783 – May 16, 1847) was an influential figure in Ecuadorian politics and President of Ecuador from September 10, 1834 to January 31, 1839. He was born into an aristocratic family in Guayaquil, Ecuador, and as a youth, was sent to Madrid to finish his education. He returned to Ecuador in 1807, and committed himself to freeing his land, first from Spanish rule, and later from the Republic of Gran Colombia.