Miranda, << mee RAHN dah, >> Francisco de (1750-1816), was a Venezuelan patriot, professional soldier, and gifted statesman. He took the lead in declaring Venezuela’s independence from Spain in 1811, though the country did not gain true independence until after his death. Unsuccessful as Venezuela’s dictator, Miranda surrendered his forces to the supporters of the Spanish king. His former subordinates, including Simón Bolívar, handed him over to the Spanish. Miranda died on July 14, 1816, in a Spanish dungeon. He was born on March 28, 1750, in Caracas.
