Arguelles

Arguelles, Augustine, a Spanish politician, born in 1776. He took an active part as a Liberal in the rising against the French in 1809, and drew up the Constitution of 1812. Ferdinand, on his restoration, sent this patriot to the galleys. The revolution of 1820 set him at liberty, and made him minister and president of the Cortes. In 1823 he had to fly from Spain, but returned in 1834, and was guardian to Queen Isabella until she attained her majority in 1843. He died the next year. The probity, capacity, moderation, and eloquence of Arguelles won him high esteem and the exaggerated epithet of "divino."