Stephen F. Austin

Stephen Fuller Austin (November 3, 1793 – December 27, 1836) was an American empresario. Known as the "Father of Texas", he led the second, and ultimately, the successful colonization of Mexican Texas by bringing 300 families from the United States to the region in 1825, thereby creating the conditions for the Texas Revolution. Born in Virginia and raised in southeastern Missouri, Austin served in the Missouri territorial legislature before moving to {Arkansas|Arkansas Territory]] and later Louisiana. His father, Moses Austin, received an empresario grant from Spain to settle Texas. After Moses Austin's death in 1821, Stephen Austin won recognition of the empresario grant from the newly-independent country of Mexico. Austin convinced numerous American settlers to move to Texas, and by 1825 Austin had brought the first 300 American families into the territory. Throughout the 1820s, Austin sought to maintain good relations with the Mexican government, even helping to suppress the Fredonia Rebellion in January, 1827. He also helped ensure the introduction of slavery into Texas despite the attempts of the Mexican government to ban the institution.

As Texas settlers became increasingly dissatisfied with the Mexican government, Austin attempted to maintain good relations between the sides. However, in 1834 the Mexican government became convinced that Austin was pushing for Texas independence despite his assertions to the contrary. He was arrested while visiting Mexico City, and held until December, 1835. Austin's arrest coupled with the Mexican government's plans to end slavery helped spark Texas to revolution. Austin, now firmly against the Mexican government, led Texas forces at the successful Siege of Béxar before serving as a commissioner to the United States until Texas won its independence.

Austin ran in the 1836 Texas presidential election but was defeated by Sam Houston. Houston appointed Austin as secretary of state for the new republic, and Austin held that position until he died of pneumonia in December 1836.