Chilean revolutionary leader and statesman, head of state (1817–23). The son of a Spanish officer of Irish origin, he was educated in England, where he first became involved in nationalist politics. On his return to Chile he led the independence movement and, with the help of José de San Martín, liberator of Argentina, led the army, which triumphed over Spanish forces in 1817, paving the way for Chilean independence the following year. For the next six years he was head of state (supreme director) of Chile, but then fell from power and lived in exile in Peru for the remainder of his life.