Jean-Jacques Dessalines

Jean-Jacques Dessalines (September 20, 1758 – October 17, 1806) was a leader of the Haitian Revolution and the first ruler of an independent Haiti under the dictatorial 1801 constitution. He was autocratic in his rule and crowned himself Emperor of Haïti in 1805.He began as Governor-General and later Emperor Jacques I of Haiti (1804 – 1806). He is remembered as one of the founding fathers of Haiti.Dessalines served as an officer in the French army and later rose to become a commander in the revolt against the same colonial power. As Toussaint Louverture's principal lieutenant, he led many successful engagements, such as the Battle of Crête-à-Pierrot, and employed brutal tactics against the enemy. After the betrayal and capture of Louverture in 1802, Dessalines became the leader of the revolution, eventually defeating the French troops sent by Napoleon at the Battle of Vertières in 1803. He declared Haiti an independent nation in 1804 and was chosen by a council of generals (blacks and mulattos) to assume the office of Governor-General. He proclaimed himself Emperor in September 1804 and ruled in that capacity until his assassination in 1806.
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