Jean-Jacques Dessalines
From TLP
Jean Jacques Dessalines (1758 - 1806) fought with Toussaint Louverture against the British and French. After turning against Toussaint and joining Leclerc, Dessalines would eventually become the leader of the revolution. Dessalines declared Saint-Domingue's independence on January 1, 1804, and became the Black Republic's first leader.
"A handsome, 'red-skinned' Negro from Senegal, fearless in the field and unscrupulous off it." (Parkinson, p. 67)
References
- Parkinson, Wenda (1978). This Gilded African. London: Quartet Books. ISBN 0-7043-2187-4
