Tomás Godoy Cruz (May 6, 1791 – May 15, 1852) was an Argentine statesman and businessman. He was a representative to the Congress of Tucumán which on July 9, 1816 declared the Independence of Argentina.

Tomás Godoy Cruz

Godoy Cruz was born in Mendoza, then part of the Captaincy General of Chile. He studied in Mendoza, then in Santiago at the Royal University of San Felipe, graduating in philosophy, canonical and civil law. He lived in Santiago until 1814, and served in the Santiago Cabildo (council) during the last year of his stay. He then returned to Mendoza, setting up a gunpowder factory. He agitated to make General José de San Martín governor of Cuyo, and helped finance the Army of the Andes.

In 1815, at just 24 years old, Godoy Cruz was elected by Mendoza to the Tucumán Congress and served in 1816 for the declaration. He was president on two occasions and vice-president on one. He subsequently served as governor of Mendoza Province 1820–22. In 1831 he was exiled to Chile where he was a teacher and pioneered silkworm cultivation. He was also a successful merchant of woven goods.

The city of Godoy Cruz and its surrounding department in Mendoza, and streets across the country were named in his honour.

References

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  • (in Spanish) Profile by the Mendoza Province education portal
Preceded by
Pedro José Campos
Governor of Mendoza
1820 – 1822
Succeeded by
Pedro Molina y Sotomayor
Preceded by
Judges of First Instance
Governor of Mendoza (acting)
1830
Succeeded by