Mora, << MOH ruh, >> Juan Rafael (1814-1860), served as president of Costa Rica from 1849 to 1859. He was called “National Hero” for defending Central America against an American adventurer, William Walker, in 1856 and 1857 (see Walker, William ). Mora established public schools in Costa Rica and made elementary education compulsory. He encouraged the coffee industry, built public buildings, and gave Costa Rica its first national bank and its first street-lighting system. Rebels drove Mora from Costa Rica in 1859. He returned in 1860, but was defeated in a revolt and was executed at Puntarenas. Mora was born in San José on Feb. 18, 1814. He died on Sept. 30, 1860.
