José de San Martín
1778–1850 · Argentine · South American Wars of Independence
Known for: Liberated Argentina, Chile, and Peru—crossed the Andes in one of military history's greatest feats
José de San Martín was the Argentine general who liberated three nations—Argentina, Chile, and Peru—through military genius and personal sacrifice. His crossing of the Andes with 5,000 men in 1817 is one of the greatest feats in military history, comparable to Hannibal's Alpine crossing.
Unlike Bolívar, San Martín was modest and politically unambitious. After meeting Bolívar at Guayaquil in 1822, he voluntarily withdrew from public life, ceding Peru to Bolívar rather than prolong a power struggle. He died in quiet exile in France, having refused to participate in Argentina's civil wars.
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