The Founders
Jean-Jacques Dessalines
c. 1758 – 1806
General, founder, and first ruler of independent Haiti.
Jean-Jacques Dessalines was born around 1758 and grew up enslaved in the north of Saint-Domingue. He rose through the revolutionary army to become one of Toussaint Louverture’s most trusted generals.
After Toussaint was deported, Dessalines united the revolution’s leaders and led the final campaign against the French. On 1 January 1804, at Gonaïves, he declared independence. He ruled the new state, first as governor-general and then as Emperor Jacques I, until he was assassinated at Pont-Rouge on 17 October 1806.
Achievements
- Held the fort of Crête-à-Pierrot against a far larger French army in 1802.
- United the revolutionary leaders at the Congress of Arcahaie in May 1803.
- Won the decisive Battle of Vertières on 18 November 1803.
- Proclaimed independence and gave the nation its name, Haiti.
