Eloy Alfaro
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- This article is about the former president of Ecuador. For the city in Ecuador named for him, see Durán, Ecuador.
Eloy Alfaro Delgado (Montecristi, June 25, 1842 - Quito, January 28, 1912), was president of Ecuador from 1895 to 1901 and from 1906 to 1911.
Eloy Alfaro was the leader of the Ecuadorian Liberal Revolution which he fought since his youth until 1895 when the liberals took power.
He is attributed with separating the church from the state and implementing many political and civil rights like freedom of speech, finishing the first railroad from Guayaquil to Quito, legalized divorce, built public schools, and allowed civil marriage.
He was killed in 1912 by the infuriated people of Quito. His body was mutilated, dragged through the streets and finally burned at "El Ejido".
In a recently conducted survey by a leading television channel in Ecuador, Alfaro was named the "Greatest Ecuadorian" in recognition of the changes he promoted which still exist today in Ecuadorian society. In 1991 the Ecuadorian Navy purchased from Britain the frigate Penelope and renamed her Presidente Eloy Alfaro.
He is also accredited for founding the "Colegio Militar Eloy Alfaro" on December 11, 1899, a six year high school in the center of Quito, and " Escuela Militar Eloy Alfaro" a collegue in the outskirts of Quito.
His likeness appears on the Ecuador currency 50 cent coin.
| Preceded by Vicente Lucio Salazar |
President of Ecuador 1895-1901 |
Succeeded by Leonidas Plaza |
| Preceded by Lizardo García |
President of Ecuador 1906-1911 |
Succeeded by Carlos Freile Zaldumbide |
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