Madero, Francisco Indalecio

Madero, Francisco Indalecio (b. 30 Oct. 1873, d. 22 Feb. 1913). Mexican President 1911–13 Born in Parras Coahuila of a wealthy and influential family, he studied in Paris and at the University of California. Upon his return to Mexico he applied his economic skills to the family business, and soon became a leading spokesman not just for economic, but also for political liberalization. This put him into confrontation with the ruling Porfirio Díaz, against whom he decided to stand in the 1910 election. Madero was gaoled during the election, which he lost. He called for an armed insurrection, which found a wide response. It sparked off the 1911 Mexican Revolution, which led to the overthrow of Díaz, and Madero's victory at the ensuing elections. He was unable, however, to contain the activities of the rebel movements (e.g. of Zapata) which the Revolution had unleashed, and in 1913 he was killed by his own military chief of staff, Victoriano Huerta.