Cornelio Saavedra

Cornelio Judas Tadeo de Saavedra was born on September 15, 1759, at Otuyo near Potosí (then Viceroyalty of Peru, now Bolivia), settling in Buenos Aires as a young merchant. During the British Invasions of Buenos Aires in 1806–1807, he was elected colonel of the Regimiento de Patricios, leading the brave civic militia that repelled British forces.

As commander of the primary military force in Buenos Aires, Saavedra's backing was decisive in toppling Viceroy Baltasar Hidalgo de Cisneros on May 25, 1810. Elected President of the First Junta (Primera Junta), he advocated moderate, step-by-step political transformation, clashing with the radical faction of Mariano Moreno. He served as President of the Junta Grande before guiding the Army of the North.