Bernardo O'Higgins

Supreme Director of Chile

20 August 1778 Chillán, Captaincy General of Chile

24 October 1842(1842-10-24) (64) Lima, Peru

17 February 1817 – 27 January 1823

Chilean independence leader Not to be confused with Bernard O'Higgins. In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is O'Higgins and the second or maternal family name is Riquelme. Bernardo O'Higgins Riquelme (Spanish pronunciation:  ( listen ) ; August 20, 1778–October 24, 1842) was a Chilean independence leader who freed Chile from Spanish rule in the Chilean War of Independence. He was a wealthy landowner of Spanish and Irish ancestry. Although he was the second Supreme Director of Chile (1817–1823), he is considered one of Chile's founding fathers, as he was the first holder of this title to head a fully independent Chilean state. He was Captain General of the Chilean Army, Brigadier of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata, General Officer of Gran Colombia and Grand Marshal of Peru.