Tomás Godoy Cruz

Godoy Cruz was born in Mendoza, then part of the Captaincy General of Chile.

He studied in Mendoza, then in Santiago at the Royal University of San Felipe, graduating in philosophy, canonical and civil law.

He agitated to make General José de San Martín governor of Cuyo, and helped finance the Army of the Andes.

In 1815, at just 24 years old, Godoy Cruz was elected by Mendoza to the Tucumán Congress and served in 1816 for the declaration.

The city of Godoy Cruz and its surrounding department in Mendoza, and streets across the country were named in his honour.