Francisco Moreno
Dr. Francisco Pascacio Moreno (May 31 1852–November 22 1919) was an Argentine explorer, born in Buenos Aires. He is usually refered to as "Perito Moreno".
Moreno began his studies in the University of Córdoba and finished at Buenos Aires, where he graduated in 1854 as doctor in natural science. In 1872 he began a series of exploring expeditions that made him well known. In January 1876, he explored Lake Nahuel-Huapi, in the southern Andes, and discovered, on February 14, 1877, Lake San Martin. He also explored numerous rivers in Patagonia, and on 4 March of the same year discovered the volcano El Chaltén, which he names Fitz Roy.
In 1880 he went on a second exploring expedition to the territory of Patagonia, where he was taken prisoner by the Pehuelche Indians and condemned to death, but escaped on March 11, one day before the one appointed for the execution. In 1882–1883 he explored the Andes from Bolivia southward, and in 1884–1885 he made new explorations of the territory south of the Rio Negro and of Patagonia. He was director of the anthropological museum of Buenos Aires, chief of the Argentine exploring commission of the southern territories, and member of numerous European scientific societies.
Francisco Moreno is also known for his role in defending Argentine interests on when the international border between Chile and Argentina was determined. In 1902, he was named "Perito" (expert), in the border conflict.
In 1903 donates some of the land previously given to him for the creation of the Nahuel Huapi National Park.
The Perito Moreno Glacier was named after him.
External links
- Biografy (spanish)
- Biografy (spanish)
- His statue (english)