“If I knew my death would assure the
        liberation of Texas, I would not live
        another hour…”

Lorenzo de Zavala, first vice president of the Republic of Texas, chose to champion the causes of liberty and democracy throughout his life for both Mexico and Texas.  His love of freedom, exceptional leadership, and perseverance gained him a significant place in history.

He was born on October 3, 1789, near Merida, Yucatán.  His political career began early as a young liberal and advocate of democratic reforms in New Spain.  His political views kept him in a Spanish dungeon for three years during which time he studied medicine and English. 

Following his release in 1821, he represented Yucatán in the Spanish Cortes in Madrid.  When he learned of the Mexican Declaration of Independence and overthrow of Spanish rule, he promptly returned to Mexico.

In 1833, he was appointed minister to France by President Antonio López de Santa Anna but returned to Texas in July, 1835, after learning of Santa Anna’s abolishment of the Constitution of 1824.  He became active in the events of the Texas Revolution and attended the Convention of 1836 at Washington-on-the-Brazos where he signed the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2. 

He was elected ad interim vice president of the new Republic on March 17, 1836.  Santa Anna considered him one of the main instigators of the Revolution. Following the defeat of Santa Anna’s army, de Zavala offered his home, located on Buffalo Bayou across from the battlefield as a hospital for the Texan and Mexican wounded. 

He resigned as vice president in October and died less than a month later on November 15, 1836.

To see the Lorenzo De Zavala exhibit, visit us today.