Lorenzo Batlle y Grau

He was the son of a wealthy merchant loyal to the Spanish crown. Lorenzo Batlle's son José Batlle y Ordóñez, nephew Luis Batlle Berres and grand-nephew Jorge Batlle Ibáñez would also serve as presidents of Uruguay. Lorenzo Batlle was a military officer and one of the distinguished members of the Colorado Party. He served as Minister of War three times (1847–1851, 1853-1854 and 1865–1868). He was Minister of Finance from 1856 to 1857. In March 1868 interim President Pedro Varela stepped down from the Presidency. ==President of Uruguay==

He was elected President of Uruguay, serving from 1868 to 1872. His presidency failed because of a pre-existing monetary crisis. His attempts to control the country failed and, as a result, a civil war and military uprising erupted, culminating in his presidency and ushering in an era of dictatorship. ==Death==

He died as a poor man in 1887 but was respected as a historical figure for his attempts to help the country. ==See also==