José Simeón Cañas

José Simeón Cañas y Villacorta (Known as "El Libertador de los Esclavos")

Rector of University of San Carlos, Deputy, Abolitionist Philanthropist

Born Feb 18, 1767

Zacatecoluca, Guatemala

Passed Away Mar 04, 1838 San Vicente, El Salvador

Lifespan 71 years old

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"I come on crutches to this assembly to plead for that unfortunate portion of our brothers who grope in the dark chains of slavery: let them be declared free forever!"

Archival Overview

Visionary priest and humanitarian scholar who on December 31, 1823, stood before the National Assembly to successfully demand the immediate, unconditional abolition of slavery across Central America, decades ahead of most nations.

Biographical Record

José Simeón Cañas was born in Zacatecoluca on February 18, 1767. Graduating in theology and philosophy, Cañas served as Rector of the University of San Carlos in Guatemala, mentoring a generation of Central American intellectuals in Enlightenment thought.

On December 31, 1823, though frail and ill, Cañas addressed the Federal Constituent Assembly, proposing that before any other business was concluded, every enslaved human being on Central American soil be declared instantly free, offering his own personal fortune to indemnify impoverished owners. Central America became the first region in the Americas to peacefully eradicate slavery.

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Final Resting Place

Perpetual Memorial

Iglesia del Pilar Crypt
San Vicente, El Salvador

                         GPS: 13.6420, -88.7840                    

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