José Benito Lamas (Montevideo, 12 January 1787 - 9 May 1857) was a Roman Catholic priest from the Banda Oriental.
Biography He was ordained in the Franciscan Order and studied theology and philosophy. He was a notable patriot during the fight for freedom in colonial times; José Artigas appointed him military chaplain and educator.José Artigas al Cabildo de Montevideo, en respuesta a su oficio del 4 de noviembre. Cuartel General, noviembre 12 de 1815
In 1833, in the newly created Republic of Uruguay, Lamas was appointed lecturer of philosophy.Revista Nacional, Ministerio de Instrucción Pública, Montevideo, Año I, Nº 1, enero 1938: José Benito Lamas: Discurso inaugural de la Cátedra de Filosofía de Montevideo en 1833 pp. 143-147.
He was an interest candidate for first bishop of Montevideo, but he died in 1857, during a yellow fever epidemic.
Family His sister Josefa married politician Santiago Vázquez. His brother was a notable politician in Uruguay; his nephew Andrés Lamas was a politician, diplomat and writer; his grand-nephew Luis Lamas was intendente in Rosario, Argentina.
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