José Benito Lamas

José Benito Lamas (Montevideo, 12 January 1787 - 9 May 1857) was a Roman Catholic priest from the Banda Oriental.

Biography

He was ordained in the Franciscan Order and studied theology and philosophy. He was a notable patriot during the fight for freedom in colonial times; José Artigas appointed him military chaplain and educator.[1]

In 1833, in the newly created Republic of Uruguay, Lamas was appointed lecturer of philosophy.[2]

He was an interest candidate for first bishop of Montevideo, but he died in 1857, during a yellow fever epidemic.

Family

His sister Josefa married politician Santiago Vázquez. His brother Luis María Lamas was a notable politician in Uruguay; his grand-nephew Luis Lamas was Intendente in Rosario, Argentina.

References

  1. ↑ José Artigas al Cabildo de Montevideo, en respuesta a su oficio del 4 de noviembre. Cuartel General, noviembre 12 de 1815 (Spanish)
  2. ↑ Revista Nacional, Ministerio de Instrucción Pública, Montevideo, Año I, Nº 1, enero 1938: José Benito Lamas: Discurso inaugural de la Cátedra de Filosofía de Montevideo en 1833 pp. 143-147. (Spanish)