The patriot José Gervasio Artigas (1764-1850) is often referred to as the father of Uruguayan independence. While such a title is somewhat misleading, certainly Artigas is unchallenged as the greatest hero of Uruguay.

José Gervasio Artigas was born in Montevideo on June 19, 1764. He was a gaucho, or cowboy, until 1810, when he was attracted to a patriotic cause. A revolutionary junta in Buenos Aires desired to take the region of the viceroyalty of the Rio de la Plata out of the jurisdiction of Spanish control. From 1810 to 1811 Artigas commanded Uruguayan patriots in this war of independence against the Spanish. He conquered almost all of Uruguay except for the city of Montevideo. Then Artigas became the spokesman for those who were disenchanted with the leadership of Buenos Aires and wanted more autonomy for the provinces.

In 1813 Artigas-supporting delegates to a constitutional assembly in Argentina were rejected by the...