Jean-Jacques Dessalines (
1758-
1806), was born as a slave in Grande-Riviere-du-Nord on
Haiti. He first served as an officer in the
French army and later rose to become a commander in the revolt against the same colonial power. After the capture of
Toussaint L'Ouverture in
1801 Dessalines became leader of the revolution and after defeating the French troops sent by
Napoleon in November
1803, he declared Haiti independent. In
1804 he made himself
Emperor as
Jacques I of Haiti, but was assasinated in 1806 after an oppressive rule.
See also: History of Haiti