Francisco Solano López (1826-1870) was a Paraguayan dictator. He precipitated the War of the Triple Alliance, which almost destroyed Paraguay.

Francisco Solano López, the son of Paraguayan president Carlos Antonio López, was born at the family estancia near Asunción on July 24, 1826. Tutored by his father and Padre Fidel Maiz, he obtained a fair education. From an early age he participated in affairs of state, became a brigadier general at 18, and discharged a difficult mission to Europe with considerable success in 1853-1854. On this mission he acquired his notorious Irish mistress, Eliza Alicia Lynch, who is still a controversial figure in Paraguayan history.

Soon after the death of Carlos Antonio López, a subservient Congress ratified the selection of Francisco Solano López as president. A man of strong will and accustomed to command, López enjoyed the...