Ramón Buenaventura Báez Méndez (July 14, 1812March 14, 1884), was a Dominican politician and military figure. He was president of the Dominican Republic for five nonconsecutive terms. His rule was characterized by being very corrupt and governing for the benefit of his personal fortune. Genealogical studies have identified Buenaventura Báez as one of the fathers of the modern Dominican oligarchy, with many of his descendants dominating the political and economic life of the Dominican Republic today. He fathered several children, nine of which he recognized, while some were born in the Dominican Republic, others were born in Puerto Rico and France. Early years and family Báez was born in Rincón (now Cabral) in the Captaincy General of Santo Domingo, he was raised in his father's hometown Azua. Báez was the son of Pablo Altagracia Báez and Teresa de Jesús Méndez. His father Pablo, a wealthy merchant from Azua, was left in an orphanage when he was born, as he was the result of an extra marital affair between Josefa Morales de Firpo (a married Spanish woman) and priest and author, Father Antonio Sánchez-Valverde. Pablo was raised by a French silversmith (a factor that generated a deep francophilia in both Pablo and Buenaventura) known as Monsieur Capellier, and became a wealthy businessman, slaveholder and politician. Teresa de Jesús Méndez was a mixed-race former slave from Rincón. She was born to a slave and a master, and was sold to Pablo Altagracia Báez, who freed her to take her as his mistress when his wife María Quezada told him to do so when realized that she was infertile herself; Pablo and Teresa had 7 children. Báez was light-haired and blue-eyed like his father but had curly hair and was somewhat swarthy, earning the nickname of Jabao. Cultured and good-looking, Báez was very popular among women, especially because of his gallantry. Due to his family's fortune he was able to study in Europe, particularly France. In the European continent he learned various languages including English and French. When his father died in 1841, Báez, aged 29, inherited a large fortune that he used assiduously in politics, becoming elected in 1843 deputy to the Haitian Constituent Assembly. Political career From 1843 Báez served as deputy of Azua to the ruling Haitian government. This post was gained in part because of his role in the revolution that overthrew President Jean-Pierre Boyer from power. As a