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José Cecilio del Valle (November 22, 1780 – March 2, 1834) was a leader of Central American independence and the first president of United Provinces of Central America.

José Cecilio del Valle was born in Choluteca, Honduras. In his youth he moved to Guatemala City, where he later studied philosophy and law at the Universidad de San Carlos. He was admitted to the bar on September 1, 1803. He became known for his well reasoned arguments and decisions and was nicknamed "El Sabio" ("The Wise"). Valle was appointed a judge in 1806, and became a professor at San Carlos in 1812.

Valle authored the Central American Declaration of Independence, declared on 15 September 1821. Central America was soon afterwards annexed to the Mexican Empire of Agustín de Iturbide, and Valle was for a time imprisoned. From February 23 to March 19, 1823 he was foreign minister of the Mexican Empire.

When Mexico was declared a republic, he was instrumental in getting Mexico to recognize Central American independence, which was again achieved in June 1823. Valle was one of the drafters of the new nation's constitution (which notably abolished slavery somewhat in advance of the international community). He served as president of the congress, then was elected the first constitutional president of the United Provinces of Central America, serving until April 1825.

His death in 1834 was marked by national mourning and bells tolling throughout the Republic, as he was one of the few prominent figures respected by Liberals and Conservatives alike.

The Honduran Government awards a medal for distinguished service named in his honor, and there is a University named after him in Tegucigalpa.

[edit] See also

• History of Central America

• Jonathan Harris, 'An English utilitarian looks at Spanish American independence: Jeremy Bentham's Rid Yourselves of Ultramaria', The Americas 53 (1996), 217-33

• John Lynch, The Spanish American Revolutions 1808-1826 (New York: W.W. Norton, 1986, 2nd ed.)

• Miriam Williford, Jeremy Bentham on Spanish America (Baton Rouge: Louisiana State University Press, 1980)

Preceded by (none)

President of Central America 1823–1825

Succeeded by Manuel José Arce