thumbJosé Benito Lamas (Montevideo, 12 January 1787 - 9 May 1857) was a Roman Catholic priest from the Banda Oriental.
He was ordained in the Franciscan Order and studied theology and philosophy. He was a notable patriot during the fight for freedom in colonial times; José Artigas appointed him military chaplain and educator.[1]
In 1833, in the newly created Republic of Uruguay, Lamas was appointed lecturer of philosophy.[2]
He was an interest candidate for first bishop of Montevideo, but he died in 1857, during a yellow fever epidemic.
His sister Josefa married politician Santiago Vázquez. His brother Luis María Lamas was a notable politician in Uruguay; his grand-nephew Luis Lamas was Intendente in Rosario, Argentina.