Florencio Harmodio Arosemena Guillén (17 September 1872, Panama City – 30 August 1945, Manhattan) was the 6th

President of Panama This article lists the heads of state of Panama since the short-lived first independence from the Republic of New Granada in 1840 and the final separation from Colombia in 1903. Free State of the Isthmus (1840–1841) Republic of Panama (1 ...

from October 1, 1928 to January 3, 1931. He belonged to the

Liberal Party The Liberal Party is any of many political parties around the world. The meaning of ''liberal'' varies around the world, ranging from liberal conservatism on the right to social liberalism on the left. __TOC__ Active liberal parties This is a li ...

Biography

He was born in Panama City, then part of Colombia on September 17, 1872, son of Florencio Arosemena De Alba and of Clara Guillén. At the early age of 11, he was sent to study first in Germany, where his father sent him by considering him of an upper intelligence. Arosemena was an accomplished civil engineer who graduated from the University of Heidelberg, Germany in 1895. He spoke seven languages (Spanish, English, German, Turkish, French, Italian, and Portuguese) and was a lifelong friend of physicist

Albert Einstein Albert Einstein ( ; ; 14 March 1879 – 18 April 1955) was a German-born theoretical physicist, widely acknowledged to be one of the greatest and most influential physicists of all time. Einstein is best known for developing the theory ...

, with whom he had attended university in Germany. It was in Germany his great friendship with Albert Einstein started, one that lasted their lifetime. He worked with the German Government in the construction of various railroads in countries such as Portugal Turkey. Later Cuba hired it for the construction of its Central Railroad. He assisted in 1895 with the design and construction of the railroad line from Guayaquil to Quito - the most difficult railroad of the world to be built at the time, that was call "the nose of the devil", when

Eloy Alfaro José Eloy Alfaro Delgado (25 June 1842 – 28 January 1912) often referred to as "The Old Warrior," was an Ecuadorian politician who served as the President of Ecuador from 1895 to 1901 and from 1906 to 1911. Eloy Alfaro emerged as the leader ...

was president of Ecuador. Among his other notable contributions of architectural and engineering projects in Panama are; the Palace of Government, the National Institute, the National Theater and Panama city hall, the Puerto Argüelles Railroad and the plans of the Neighborhood of the Exposition that harbors among others monuments of the National Institute Gorgas. As a member of the Liberal Party; he was elected President of the Republic of Panama by popular election, during a period of serious economic difficulties, he served as president from October 1, 1928 until January 3, 1931; its period lasted to the blow of Communal Action, his presidency focused on public works and reduction of government spending. His attempt to do so by reducing government salaries in 1928 resulted in their restoration the following year, ultimately causing a deficit in 1930. This period lasted to the blow of Communal Action until January 2, 1931 when his tenure came to an end with Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid led Community Actions Coup and Dr. Arnulfo Arias Madrid assuming the presidency. He died on 30 August 1945.

References

1872 births 1945 deaths People from Panama City Panamanian people of Spanish descent National Liberal Party (Panama) politicians Presidents of Panama Heidelberg University alumni Panamanian expatriates in Germany {{Panama-politician-stub