Francisco Miranda, a Venezuelan revolutionist, born in Caracas about 1754, died in prison in Cadiz, Spain, July 14, 1816. He entered the Spanish army at an early age, and at 17 was captain in the Guatemala troops. He was in the French service in the American revolutionary war from 1779 to 1781, and conceived the idea of freeing the South American colonies from Spain. He went to South America in 1783, but his plans were discovered and he fled to Europe. After extensive travels, partly on foot, he then entered the French service as general of division, took part in the campaign of 1792, and in 1793 accompanied Dumouriez to Belgium, where he commanded a division of the army at Neerwinden. He was held responsible for the loss of that battle, and was accused of being implicated in the treason of Dumouriez, and brought before the revolutionary tribunal, but acquitted. He soon again gave umbrage to the revolutionists, and was compelled to seek refuge in England. In 1803 he returned to France, but was again expelled from the country by the first consul. In 1806 he fitted out an expedition in the United States, enlisting many Americans, and returned to South America, with the view of establishing a republic at Caracas, but was not successful.

Toward the close of 1810 he again went to South America, during the disorder of the Spanish government, and maintained himself at the head of an army of insurgents; but he was delivered by Bolivar (July 31, 1812) into the hands of the Spaniards, and carried to Cadiz, where he died after four years' imprisonment. - See " History of Miranda's Attempt to effect a Revolution in South America" (New York, 1808).