The Legion of Merit was established by the Supreme Director of the newly independent Chile, Liberator General Bernardo O'Higgins, on 1 June 1817, in the wake of the Battles of Chacabuco and Maipú, to recognise distinguished contributions to the liberation of Chile or to the nation. At the time, it was the most senior honour of Chile. O'Higgins was the Chilean-born illegitimate son of Ambrosio O'Higgins, 1st Marquis of Osorno, a Spanish officer born in Ireland, who became governor of Chile and later viceroy of Peru. His mother was Isabel Riquelme, daughter of Don Simón Riquelme y Goycolea, a member of the Chillán Council. Notwithstanding his aristocratic background, O'Higgins abolished the system of nobility in Chile; establishment of the Legion of Merit helped to fill the void with a more egalitarian recognition system. This was in keeping with the ideals of many of the revolutionaries, but alienated the existing aristocracy.