Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada

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Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada y Corral

In office July 19, 1872 – November 20, 1876
Preceded by	Benito Juárez
Succeeded by	Porfirio Díaz

Born	April 24, 1823 Xalapa, Veracruz
Died	April 21, 1889 New York, New York, USA
Political party	Liberal

Sebastián Lerdo de Tejada y Corral (April 24, 1823, Jalapa, Veracruz - April 21, 1889, New York City) was a Liberal president of Mexico.

He was born in Jalapa, Veracruz into a Criollo family. After studying five years of theology in a seminary in Puebla he graduated with a law degree from the Colegio de San Idelfonso, a famed institution he ended up directing at the age of 29.

He became known as a Liberal leader and a supporter of President Juárez. In 1857 he was minister of foreign affairs for three months under Ignacio Comonfort and became president of the Chamber of Deputies in 1861.

During the French intervention and the reign of the Emperor Maximilian he continued to be loyal to the republicans, and had an active share in conducting the national resistance. He was minister of foreign affairs to President Juárez, whom he succeeded after his death (July 18, 1872), in the midst of a revolt.

He achieved some success in pacifying the country and began the construction of railways. He was re-elected on July 24, 1876, but was expelled on November 20, 1876 by Porfirio Diaz, as he had made himself unpopular by the means he took to secure his re-election and by his disposition to limit state rights in favour of a strongly centralized government.

He went into exile in New York where he died some years after. He was buried in Mexico.

His brother Miguel Lerdo de Tejada was also a notable political figure.

[edit] Cabinet

Defense (Guerra y Marina):
- Ignacio Mejía (July 19, 1872 – August 30, 1876).
- Mariano Escobedo (August 31, 1876 – November 20, 1876).
Finance (Hacienda):
- Francisco Mejía (July 19, 1872 – November 20, 1876).
Foreign Affairs (Relaciones Exteriores):
- José María Lafragua (July 19, 1872 – November 15, 1875).
- Juan de Dios Arias (November 15, 1875 – August 30, 1876).
- Manuel Romero Rubio (August 31, 1876 – November 20; 1876).
Industry and Commerce (Fomento):
- Blas Balcárcel (July 19, 1872 – November 20, 1876).
Interior (Gobernación):
- Cayetano Gómez Pérez (July 19, 1872 – September 26, 1876).
- Juan José Baz (September 27, 1876 – November 20; 1876).
Justice (Justicia):
- Ramón I. Alcázar (July 19, 1872 – November 20, 1876).