Pedro Lascuráin

Pedro José Domingo de la Calzada Manuel María Lascuráin Paredes (8 May  1856 – 21 July 1952) was a Mexican politician.

He served as the 38th President of Mexico. He served as president for less than one hour on February 19, 1913. It is the shortest presidency in the history of the world. He had earlier served as Mexico's foreign minister for two terms and was the director of a small law school in Mexico City for sixteen years.

Early life
Lascuráin was born in Mexico City, Mexico.

Presidency
Before becoming president, Lascuráin was mayor of Mexico City. On 19 February 1913, General Victoriano Huerta overthrew President Madero. Lascuráin was one of the people who convinced Madero to resign the presidency while he was being held prisoner in the National Palace. He claimed that his life was in danger if he refused.

Under the Constitution of Mexico, the vice-president, the attorney general, the foreign minister and then the interior minister stood next in line to the presidency. As well as Madero, Huerta had overthrown Vice-President José María Pino Suárez and Attorney General Adolfo Valles Baca.

Lascuráin, as foreign minister, assumed the presidency. Lascuráin was president for less than an hour; sources quote figures ranging from 15 to 56 minutes. To date, Lascuráin's presidency is the shortest in history, even briefer than that of Venezuelan politician Diosdado Cabello in 2002.

Death
Lascuráin died in Mexico City from natural causes, aged 96 years old.

References

Other websites
 La decena trágica  by Alejandro Rosas
 La decena trágica 
 Brief biography at Encarta 
 Brief biography 
 A little more biographical information 

Category:1856 births
Category:1952 deaths
Category:Presidents of Mexico
Category:Mexican mayors
Category:Politicians from Mexico City
Category:20th-century presidents of Mexico