Monarch Ferdinand VII Role Political figure Profession Field Marshal Spouse Nicolasa Valdes (m. 1751) | Religion Catholic Succeeded by Mariano Osorio Name Mateo Toro | |
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Preceded by Francisco Garcia Carrasco Born 20 September 1727
Santiago, Chile ( 1727-09-20 ) Children Jose Maria, Gregorio Jose, Maria Josefa ,Jose Joaquin ,Domingo Jose ,Maria Mercedes ,Mariana , Maria Ines,Maria de los Dolores , Maria del Rosario Josefa Died February 26, 1811, Santiago, Chile Similar People Jose Miguel Carrera, Mariano Osorio, Jose Antonio Pareja, Gabino Gainza, Bernardo O'Higgins | ||
Field Marshal Mateo de Toro Zambrano y Ureta (Spanish: Mateo de Toro Zambrano y Ureta, I conde de la Conquista) (September 20, 1727 – February 26, 1811), frequently misnamed Mateo de Toro y Zambrano in many Chilean history publications, was Viscount of La Descubierta and later Count of La Conquista (1771) and Knight of the Spanish Order of Santiago. He was a Chilean creole and had a career as a soldier under the Spanish Empire after he amassed a fortune in commerce.
In 1810, as the most senior military figure in the Captaincy General of Chile, as well as its Royal Governor, he called a meeting of leading citizens on September 18, 1810. This group would subsequently elect the governing junta similar to those appearing throughout the rebelling Spanish colonies, an action which is generally seen as the first step in Chilean independence process. He was voted the President of this First Government Junta, but his death a year later (he was already 83 years old) precluded him from taking a larger role in the independence of Chile. He died in Santiago de Chile on February 26, 1811.