José Brito del Pino

He was born in Montevideo, Banda Oriental, the son of José Pérez Brito, born in Galicia, and Josefa Del Pino, a noble woman, daughter of Joaquín del Pino and Ignacia Ramery.[3] After completing his elementary studies he enlisted in the army, serving since 1825 as an assistant in the Estado Mayor del Ejército, and taking part in the Argentine-Brazilian War against the troops of Pedro I.[4]

He was promoted to Colonel during the presidency of General Manuel Oribe, and also appointed to hold the position of Ministry of Government.[5] He served as Chief of the Ministry of War during the Gobierno del Cerrito.[6] After the capitulation of Oribe to General Justo José de Urquiza, he was appointed by the President Joaquín Suárez to hold the position of Minister of War in 1852.[7]

He participated in all the political events that occurred in Uruguay during and after the Guerra Grande, including serious events during the presidency of Gabriel Antonio Pereira.[8] He was the author of "Diario de la guerra del Brasil", a work about his experiences during the Argentine-Brazilian War.[9]

José Brito del Pino belonged to a moderate sector of the White Party, a supporter of the Union of that party with the Colorado Party.[10] He served under General Fructuoso Rivera during the war against the Empire of Brazil, taking an active part in the Battle of Rincón against the troops of João Propício Mena Barreto.[11]

José Brito del Pino was married to María Farías Zubillaga, daughter Francisco Higinio Farias and Josefa Juliana Zubillaga, belonging to a distinguished family.[12] He and his wife were parents of four sons, Eduardo Brito del Pino (attorney), Josefa, Federico Brito del Pino, husband Amanda Berro, daughter of Bernardo Berro,[13] and Darío Brito del Pino, politician, member of the White Party.[14]

His family was linked to the family of Isabelino Canaveris Farias, prominent Uruguayan patriot, who had an active participation in the civil wars.[15]