Nicolás Avellaneda

Nicolás Avellaneda (1836-1885), Argentine politician and president of Argentina (1874-1880), born in Tucumán. He graduated in law from the University of Córdoba (Argentina) and earned a reputation as a journalist and economics teacher at the University of Buenos Aires. He served as minister of justice and public education during the presidency (1868-1874) of Domingo Faustino Sarmiento. In 1874 he defeated Bartolomé Mitre for the presidency and put down a revolt by Mitre that same year. At his request, the Argentine congress passed a general amnesty law in 1877, which reconciled many of Mitre's followers. Avellaneda's policies of economic austerity and encouraging immigration contributed greatly to the recovery of the Argentine economy following a period of crisis. During his term, the hostile Native Americans of the southern Pampas were subdued, and Buenos Aires, the capital city, was made a separate federal district.