Mosquera, Tomás Cipriano de (1798–1878)

Colombian general and political thinker. Active in the struggle for independence, Mosquera was made intendant (see intendencia) of Guayaquil 1826 by Simón Bolívar. In his first term as president of New Granada 1845–49 he promoted educational, taxation, and political reforms, but split the ruling class. He called the assembly which created the United States of Colombia 1863. Later he took on the Catholic Church with a series of anti-clerical policies.

He served in the administration of President José Ignacio de Márquez (1837–41). Exiled 1867 to Peru he returned 1870 and served as governor of Cauca 1871–73, continuing to argue for economic development.