José Batlle y Ordóñez

Who was José Batlle y Ordóñez?

José Pablo Torcuato Batlle y Ordóñez was the president of Uruguay in 1899 and from 1903 until 1907 and for a further term from 1911 to 1915. He was the son of former president, Lorenzo Batlle y Grau. His children César, Rafael and Lorenzo Batlle Pacheco were actively engaged in politics. He was also the uncle of another Uruguayan president, Luis Batlle Berres and the great-uncle of the ex-president, Jorge Batlle.

He and his family are some of the most prominent members of the Colorado Party. He was a prominent journalist, who founded El Día in 1886. As president, Battle presided over the passage of a wide range of reforms in areas such as social security and working conditions.