José María Linares 1808 – 1861

Biography

José María Linares was born on July 10, 1808, in Puna, a region in what would become Bolivia during a transformative period in South American history. He lived through decades of independence movements and nation-building, witnessing his country’s emergence as a sovereign state. His life spanned more than half a century of significant political change across the continent.

Linares devoted much of his life to public service, eventually rising to the highest office in his nation as President of Bolivia. His leadership came during a critical time in the young republic’s development, as the country worked to establish stable governance and define its place among independent American nations. Through his political career, he played a role in shaping Bolivia’s early institutional framework.

He spent his final years away from his homeland, passing away on October 23, 1861, in Valparaíso, Chile—a major Pacific port city. His death marked the end of a life invested in the political affairs of his era. José María Linares remains part of Bolivia’s historical record as a leader during its formative national period.