| Francisco José de Caldas | |
|---|---|
Woodcut of Francisco José de Caldas from the Papel Periodico de Bogotá |
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| Born | Francisco José de Caldas y Tenorio 4 October 1768 Popayán, Viceroyalty of New Granada |
| Died | 28 October 1816 (aged 48) Bogotá, Cundinamarca, United Provinces of New Granada |
| Cause of death | Execution by firing squad |
| Resting place | Iglesia de San José Popayán, Cauca, Colombia |
| Nationality | Neogranadine |
| Other names | El Sabio |
| Ethnicity | Criollo |
| Education | Lawyer |
| Alma mater | Our Lady of the Rosary University |
| Occupation | Botanist, Journalist, Astronomer, Writer |
| Known for | Scientist and Precursor of the Independence of Colombia |
| Religion | Roman Catholic |
| Parents | José de Caldas y Gamba Vicenta Tenorio y Arboleda |
Francisco José de Caldas (4 October 1768 – 28 October 1816) was a Colombian lawyer, naturalist, and geographer who died a martyr by orders of Pablo Morillo during the Reconquista for being a precursor of the Independence of New Granada (modern day Colombia).
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Caldas began his studies in the city of Popayán in the Seminary of Popayán. He later studied in the Colegio del Rosario graduating in Law but was also passionate for mathematics, astronomy and natural sciences.
Caldas was part of numerous scientific expeditions including the ones with José Celestino Mutis and Alexander von Humboldt. He travelled across the New Kingdom of Granada exploring the newfound land, studying flora, fauna, geography, meteorology and cartography. In 1805 Caldas was appointed by Mutis to direct the Astronomic Observatory.
Once the revolution of July 20, 1810 occurred, Caldas soon became the editor of the official state newspaper, the Diario Político. Upon Nariño's taking power in Cundinamarca in September 1811, Caldas was drafted as an engineer.
Caldas was captured by the Spanish royalists in 1816 and executed on October 29, in the San Francisco Plaza by orders of Pablo Morillo, Count of Cartagena. When Caldas was about to be executed and the people present at the place appealed for the life of the scientist, Morillo responded: "Spain does not need wise people" (Spanish: "España no necesita sabios").[1] Before dying Caldas wrote on the wall a large Greek letter θ, which has been interpreted as exclaiming "Oh long and dark departure!" (Spanish: Oh larga y negra partida! (See "Crónicas de Bogotá Segunda Edición Tomo III Pedro M. Ibáñez http://banrepcultural.org/blaavirtual/historia/cronic/cap46b.htm) .
His body was buried in Veracruz Church, which was later turned into the Panteón Nacional (National Pantheon) but later moved to the Panteón de los Próceres in his hometown, Popayan.
Caldas helped fund the New Kingdom of Granada Seminary, intended to be a scientific institution during the first decade of the 1800s. In 1810, he founded the Diario Político de Santa Fe Political Diary of Santa Fe which ultimately defended the independentist movement. During this time Caldas became engineer's colonel designing an artillery apparatus for the revolutionaries.
The Colombian department of Caldas is named for Francisco José de Caldas.