Joseph Arago

Joseph Honoré Arago (2 June 1796 – 19 September 1860), known as Joseph Arago, was a French soldier in the Mexican army.

Biography Family Joseph Arago was born on 2 June 1796 in Estagel, Roussillon. He was the ninth child of François Bonaventure Arago and Marie Arago, and the fifth of their six sons.

Military career Arago served in the Grande Armée and was discharged in 1815. He returned to service in 1818, participated in the Peninsular War from 1823 to 1825, and rose in rank to become a lieutenant.

In October 1827, he left for Mexico to join his brother Jean Arago, then a colonel in the Mexican army. On Jean's recommendation, Joseph was promoted to lieutenant in 1828. After two years of leave due to ill health, he was promoted to cavalry captain in 1832, while stationed in Veracruz under the command of General Santa Anna. In 1836, he married and in 1840 became aide-de-camp to the President of Mexico, Anastasio Bustamante, who appointed him major. The multiple changes at the head of Mexico had no impact on his career, but it was interrupted several times by his being forced to take leave to treat his fragile health. He ended it with the rank of colonel.

He suffered from diabetes and became blind, like several other members of his family (including his brothers François and Jacques).

He died on 19 September 1860 in Tacubaya.