Francois Dominique Toussaint L'Ouverture

Francois Dominique Toussaint L'Ouverture (1743-1803) was a Haitian revolutionary leader who is called "Liberator of Haiti". This negro hero of Hayti was born, the son of an African slave at Breda.

He was involved in all phases of Haitian independence movement, led slave insurrection in 1791. in 1797 became a general of brigade in the service of the French, and by gallant soldiership cleared the English and Spanish out of Hayti.

Along with his associates forced British to leave in 1799, won civil war and became leader of entire island in 1801. After becoming president for life of the republic of Hayti, he began to work for the complete independence of the island.

He resisted Napoleon in his efforts to re-establish slavery and was defeated by French forces, arrested and sent to prison on the charges of conspiracy, and subsequently died there.

He is the subject of a well-known sonnet by Wordsworth.

Nearby pages
Francois Eugene, Francois Felix Faure, Francois Jacob Lefort, Francois Joseph Talma, Francois Lenormant, Francois Magendie