José de San Martín soldier, politician, reluctant hero

osé Francisco de San Martín y Matorras (1778–1850) was , but at the age of seven moved with his Spanish parents to Málaga. when he was 11, serving in north Africa, the Mediterranean and the Peninsular War. Despite rapid promotion for his bravery and discipline, he became disillusioned with Spanish rule. A visit to London exposed him to a circle of Latin American revolutionaries, though he remained a lifelong conservative and monarchist.