Francisco Javier de Viana
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Francisco Javier de Viana | |
|---|---|
| Born | 1764 |
| Died | 1820 (aged 55–56) Buenos Aires, Argentina |
| Allegiance | Argentina, Federal Party |
| Branch | Navy, Army |
| Rank | General |
| Conflicts | British invasions of the River Plate Argentine Civil War |
Francisco Javier de Viana (1764–1820) was an Argentine sailor and soldier who actively participated in the politics of his country as an ally of general Carlos María de Alvear.
He studied at the Colegio de San Carlos and later in Spain, possibly at the naval school in Cádiz, then served in the navy and in scientific commissions to establish and map borders of the era. He served as writer and reporter on the four-year voyage of the ships Descubierta and Atrevida, captained by Alejandro Malaspina.
After the British invasions of the Río de la Plata, the city of Montevideo had been left without a naval defense as the sailors had been taken prisoner to Great Britain. The authorities had to rebuild it anew and Viana was sent as part of the new naval forces.
In 1809 Viana was sent by governor Francisco Javier de Elío to rescue Martín de Álzaga, who had been exiled to Carmen de Patagones by order of viceroy Santiago de Liniers.
Upon the May Revolution he ended up in the royalist side, fighting against the revolutionaries of the Banda Oriental (present-day Uruguay). After the Battle of San José, colonel José Artigas attacked the town of Maldonado, defeating the defending commander, Viana. He was then sent as prisoner to Buenos Aires.
