José María Urbina 1808 – 1891

Biography

José María Urbina was born on March 19, 1808, in the town of Píllaro, Ecuador, during a period of significant change in South American history. He would go on to become a prominent political figure in his nation, serving as President of Ecuador during a formative era in the country’s development. His life spanned most of the nineteenth century, witnessing and participating in the transformative events that shaped Ecuador’s early republic.

Urbina’s long life of eighty-three years connected him to Ecuador through decades of political service and leadership. His tenure as president placed him among the important figures who guided the young nation through its early institutional challenges. Based in Guayaquil, one of Ecuador’s most vital cities, Urbina remained engaged with his country’s affairs throughout his extended lifetime.

On September 4, 1891, Urbina passed away in Guayaquil at an advanced age. His remains were laid to rest at the General Cemetery of Guayaquil in Guayas Province, where he was honored among his fellow citizens. His long life and service to Ecuador left a mark on the nation’s political history, and his memory endures as part of the country’s historical legacy.