born Feb. 22, 1895, Trujillo, Peru
died Aug. 2, 1979, Lima
Peruvian political theorist and activist.
The son of wealthy parents, in 1914 he founded APRA , a left-of-centre reformist party. He ran for president repeatedly but was always thwarted by the military and other conservative forces. He spent much of his life in prison, exile, or hiding, influencing Peruvian politics through his underground activities and writings. See also indigenismo .