Antoine-Hippolyte Cros held the title of pretender to the throne of the Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia from 1902 until his death in 1903. Beyond his claims to this defunct sovereignty, he practiced as a physician in France during a period when the medical profession underwent significant technical shifts regarding germ theory and surgical antisepsis.
Early Life and Family
Born on 10 May 1833 in Lagrasse, France, Antoine-Hippolyte Cros was the son of philosopher Simon Charles Henry Cros and Josephine Thor. His grandfather was the grammarian Antoine Cros. He had two notable siblings: the inventor and poet Charles Cros, known for his work on the phonograph, and the artist Henry Cros, who worked as a painter and sculptor. On 5 March 1856, he married Leonilda Méndez de Texeira in Paris. The couple had two daughters, Laure-Therese Cros and Juliette Cros.
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Cros pursued a career as a physician at a time when anesthesia and antisepsis were transforming surgical standards. While he contributed to the medical landscape of the era, his professional standing earned him specific honors, including being named an officier d'académie. Additionally, he received international recognition for his work, holding the titles of Knight of the Order of Vasa and Knight of the Imperial Order of the Rose.
The Claim to Araucanía and Patagonia
Following the death of Achille Laviarde on 6 March 1902, Cros assumed the role of pretender to the throne of Araucanía and Patagonia. The status of this kingdom remained legally unrecognized, with French courts having previously ruled in 1873 against the claims of the original pretender, Antoine de Tounens. Cros held this position until he died on 1 November 1903 in Asnières-sur-Seine. Upon his death, his daughter Laure-Therese Cros succeeded him as the pretender to the throne.
Fast facts
- Born: 10 May 1833, Lagrasse, France
- Died: 1 November 1903, Asnières-sur-Seine, France
- Occupations: Physician, writer
- Spouse: Leonilda Méndez de Texeira
- Pretender to the throne: 1902–1903
- Awards: Officier d'académie, Knight of the Order of Vasa, Knight of the Imperial Order of the Rose
Questions readers ask
Who succeeded Antoine-Hippolyte Cros as pretender to the throne?
His daughter, Laure-Therese Cros, succeeded him in 1903.
Was the Kingdom of Araucanía and Patagonia internationally recognized?
No, it lacked legal existence and international recognition, with the French courts dismissing its legitimacy in 1873.
Achievements
- Knight of the Order of Vasa
- Knight of the Imperial Order of the Rose