Full Name
François Dominique Toussaint Louverture
Date of Birth
c. 1743
Place of Birth
Bréda, near Cap-Français, Saint-Domingue (Haiti)
Death
April 7, 1803, Fort-de-Joux, France
Title/Office
Governor-General (1801-1802), Saint-Domingue
Role in History
Leader of the Haitian Revolution
Early Life and Education
Toussaint Louverture was born into slavery and was believed to have been well-educated in his youth, showing knowledge of French and Creole and familiarity with Greek, Italian, and French philosophers[3].
Career and Contributions
Toussaint Louverture was a leader of the Haitian independence movement during the French Revolution. He emancipated the slaves and negotiated for the autonomous status of Saint-Domingue, effectively ending slavery on the island[1]. He was known for his military and political acumen, which transformed the slave insurrection into a revolutionary movement that led to the establishment of the independent nation of Haiti.
Personal Traits
He was short and small-framed, a fervent Roman Catholic, opposed to Vodou (Voodoo), dressed simply, was abstemious and a vegetarian, and had an astonishing capacity for work[1].
Connection to Other Figures
Toussaint Louverture worked closely with figures such as Jean-Jacques Dessalines, who became a close confidant and able lieutenant during the revolution[2].
Citations: [1] https://www.britannica.com/biography/Toussaint-Louverture [2] https://www.biography.com/political-figures/toussaint-louverture [3] https://nmaahc.si.edu/latinx/toussaint-louverture [4] https://www.amazon.com/Toussaint-Louverture-Revolutionary-Philippe-Girard/dp/0465094139 [5] https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Toussaint_Louverture [6] https://www.blackpast.org/global-african-history/loverture-toussaint-1743-1803/ [7] https://slaveryandremembrance.org/people/person/?id=PP052 [8] https://library.oapen.org/handle/20.500.12657/31609