Alvear, Marcelo Torcuato de

Alvear, Marcelo Torcuato de (märsā`lō tōrkwä`tō dā älvāär`), 1868–1942, Argentine statesman and diplomat, president of the republic (1922–28). A member of the Radical party, he became minister to France after a victory of the Radicals in 1916 placed Irigoyen in the presidency. Succeeding Irigoyen in 1922, Alvear secured enactment of some reforms, especially agricultural measures, but largely because of a split with Irigoyen his administration, on the whole, accomplished little. Later the breach was healed, and Alvear became the leader of the Radicals. In 1931 he was barred from the presidential race, and in 1937 he was defeated by Roberto M. Ortiz.