Dupaix, Guillermo

Guillermo Dupaix was an officer in the Mexican dragoons.

Archaeological explorer, military captain, and writer. Born circa 1750 in Austria-Hungary; died circa 1818, probably in Mexico City. Joined the military at the age of fourteen. Became capitan of the Regiment of Dragones de Almansa in 1790 and was sent to Mexico, where he arrived in February 1791. Retired from the military circa 1800. Between 1805 and 1809 Dupaix explored and researched the indigenous ruins of Mexico under the sponsorship of King Carlos IV. Dupaix was accompanied by an escort of cavalry and by José Luciano Castañeda, artist for the National Museum of Mexico. Dupaix's descriptions and Castañeda's drawings of the ruins received high acclaim, especially in France and England. The publication of their works is credited with having stimulated the strong interest of Europeans in visiting and studying these ruins. Dupaix is considered to have been a pioneer in the science of archaeology. In 1808 Dupaix was charged with disloyalty to the King of Spain, but was absolved.