Benito Juárez

Born to a poor Zapotec family in Oaxaca and orphaned young, Juárez worked as a domestic servant at twelve before his employer sponsored his education — first in a seminary, then in law. He practiced as a judge, married into a distinguished Oaxacan family, and rose to governor before joining the national cabinet as Minister of Justice, where he helped pass constitutional reforms known as La Reforma. When the Liberal president resigned during the Reform War in 1858, Juárez succeeded him as head of the Supreme Court and led the Liberals to victory after three years of fighting. Almost immediately…