Antonio Sáenz

Who was Antonio Sáenz?

Antonio Sáenz was an Argentine statesman, educator and cleric. He was a representative to the Congress of Tucumán of July 9, 1816 which declared the Independence of Argentina. He was the first rector of the University of Buenos Aires.

Sáenz was born in Buenos Aires. He studied at the Real Colegio de San Carlos between 1794 and 1800, gained his degree in 1802, and became a doctor in law in Chuquisaca in 1804, having been ordained as a priest some years before. In 1804, he entered the Academia Carolina as a practising lawyer. He became shortly afterwards a teacher of theology, law and philosophy.

In 1805, Sáenz was appointed secretary of the church cabildo, which brought him into the public eye. His appointment was opposed by the Bishop of Buenos Aires, Benito Lue y Riega, and they fought publicly, culminating in Sáenz's imprisonment and trial. He was freed thanks to the intervention of the city's cabildo. He took part in the revolutionary events of May 1810 and represented San Luis Province in the 1813 Assembly. Thanks to his profile and links, he was also part of the Lautaro Lodge.