TALAVERA y GARCES, Mariano (tah-lah-vay'-rah), Venezuelan R. C. bishop, born in Core, 22 December, 1777; died in Caracas, 23 December, 1861. In 1791 he was sent to the University of Caracas, where he studied theology, received the degree of D. D., and was ordained in 1797. In 1806 he became secretary of the bishop of Merida, who sent him as vicar to Barinas, and in 1808 he was appointed rector of the seminary of Merida. When the war for independence opened in 1810, he took part in it, and was elected a member of the supreme junta of Merida, but in 1812, when the armies of the republic were defeated, he was forced to emigrate to New Granada. In 1815 he was imprisoned by the Spanish authorities, but pardoned and retired to Core, whence, after the liberation of New Granada, he went to Bogota, and in 1822 General Santander appointed him dean of the cathedral. In 1826 he was elected to congress for Coro, and in 1828 confirmed by the pope as bishop of Tricala and vicar of Guayana. From 1830 till 1832 he was exiled, having refused to take the unconditional oath to support the constitution. In 1842 he resigned the bishopric and was appointed councillor of state, which place he also resigned, after the attack on congress of 24 January, 1848, and retired to private life. He was considered the greatest pulpit orator of Colombia, and one of the most learned men in the church of South America.