Adolfo Ballivián
President of Bolivia (1831-1874)
Adolfo Ballivián Coll (15 November 1831 – 14 February 1874) was a Bolivian military officer and politician who served as the 18th president of Bolivia from 1873 to 1874. His presidency was brief, yet serious financial and legislative problems, worsened or neglected by previous administrations, began to appear. These had serious effects for Bolivia, leading up to the War of the Pacific.
Early life
Youth and first exile
Adolfo Ballivián was born on November 15, 1831, in the city of La Paz, Bolivia. He was the son of former Bolivian president and war hero José Ballivián. Highly educated, he had the opportunity to travel to many places. He was a member of the armed forces, orator, composer of classical music, writer, and deputy.
From a very young age he accompanied his father in the War of the Confederation and also participated in the Battle of Ingavi. During his first trips, living in exile with his father, he met Carmen Grimwood Allende de Quillota in Valparaíso, Chile, whom he married.
Early political career and second exile
Following his father's unexpected death in Brazil in 1852, he returned to Bolivia, rejoined the army and rose to the rank of lieutenant colonel.
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