Francisco de Paula Santander

1. Formation and the War of Independence

Born into a wealthy family in Villa del Rosario, near Cúcuta, Santander studied Law at the Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé in Bogotá. He joined the patriot ranks from the first years of the independence struggle and quickly rose through the military ranks.

He played a decisive role alongside Simón Bolívar in the Liberation Campaign of 1819, commanding the patriot vanguard at the Battle of Boyacá, the victory that secured New Granada's independence.

2. Vice President and State Organizer

As vice president of Gran Colombia while Bolívar led military campaigns in the south, Santander assumed the de facto civil administration of the new State. He founded schools, ordered the codification of laws and organized public finances, earning the nickname“The Man of Laws”.

His differences with Bolívar over the model of government —Santander defended a more civilian, legalistic regime against the authoritarian centralism Bolívar considered necessary— led to his implication in the September Conspiracy of 1828 against the Liberator, which resulted in his exile.

3. President of New Granada

After Gran Colombia dissolved in 1830, Santander returned from exile and was elected president of the newly formed Republic of New Granada in 1832, serving until 1837. His government focused on consolidating the country's civil institutions, public education, and legal order.

His legacy as a founder of Colombia's republican institutions is widely recognized, despite the shadow cast over his reputation by his alleged involvement in the attempt on Bolívar's life.

4. Numismatic Legacy

Santander's portrait appears on banknotes issued by the National Bank during the Thousand Days War, including theissue of One Peso, Series O (1899–1900), as well as on later banknotes of the twentieth century. His name also gives title to the Francisco de Paula Santander University and numerous Colombian public institutions.