The Paraguayan dictator Carlos Antonio López (1792-1862) was the greatest of all the presidents of his country. He ended Paraguay's isolation, maintained its independence, and laid the foundations for its prosperity.

Born in Asunción on Nov. 4, 1792, Carlos Antonio López was one of eight children. Educated at the Colegio Seminario de San Carlos, López joined its faculty in 1814. When José Rodriguez Francia closed the school, López practiced law and gained a reputation for learning and probity.

After Francia's death, López controlled the temporary government and the Congress which was called in March 1841. This Congress created the Second Consulate, which López dominated. Reversing many of Francia's policies, he established relations with other countries, promoted foreign trade, permitted foreigners to enter and leave freely, reestablished the Church, created a monetary system, and reorganized the army. Although...