Manuel Lorenzo Justiniano de Zavala y Sáenz was born on October 3, 1788 in the town of Tecoh, Yucatán, to Anastasio de Zavala y Velázquez and María Bárbara Sáenz. He graduated from the seminary at Mérida in 1807. He founded several newspapers, but his liberal political views led to his imprisonment in Veracruz in 1814. Fluent in Spanish, French, English and Latin, he studied medical textbooks while in prison, and was ready to practice medicine upon his release in 1817. In 1820, he was elected to public office, and in 1821 was appointed Deputy to the Spanish Cortes in Madrid.

In 1807 Zavala married Teresa Correa y Correa. They had three children, including Lorenzo, Jr., who served his father in Paris as secretary of the Texas legation and, after the battle of San Jacinto, served as translator for Sam Houston in his negotiations with Santa Anna. After nearly twenty-four years of marriage, Zavala's wife died in 1831. That same year, on 12 November 1831, he married Emily West of New York City and they had three children. Their son Augustine was later to become the father of Adina Emilia De Zavala, who will be best remembered for her spirited and caring role in the fight to preserve the Alamo.

Zavala's book Journey to the United States of North America, written in Spanish, waspublished in France in 1831, but no English translation was published until 1980. It was reprinted in 2005 in paperback as Journey to the United States of North America. It precedes Toqueville's famous Democracy in America by five years and expresses similar opinions about America and Americans. Unique are Zavala's strongly expressed arguments that Mexico will not achieve American accomplishment and prosperity because of Mexican cultural defects. Zavala writes in his prologue:

However, it should be very useful to Mexicans, for it is to them that I dedicate it. In it they will find a true description of the people whom their legislators have tried to imitate---a people that is hard working, active, reflective, circumspect, religious in the midst of a multiplicity of sects, tolerant, thrifty, free, proud and persevering.

A leader of the Federalist Party, he served in the Senate and Chamber of Deputies, and took an active part in establishing American York Rite Freemasonry in Mexico as an alternative to the older, well-established Scottish Rite (Escosese) of Freemasonry that had been introduced by the aristocratic elements previously loyal to the royal House of Bourbon. In 1826, the Grand Lodge of New York issued charters to five Masonic lodges in Mexico City. These five new Yorkino lodges formed the nucleus of the movement that favored decentralization of governmental power. Zavala became the Charter Worshipful Master of Independencia Lodge No. 454, but his political enemies forced him to leave Mexico in 1830.

When he traveled to New York, Zavala sought to interest Americans in the empresario grants he had received in 1829. These grants authorized him to settle 500 families on a tract of land in what is now southeastern Texas. In October 1830, he transferred his interest in the grants to the Galveston Bay and Texas Land Company. After spending several months during 1831 in France and England, Zavala decided to live in New York City until his return to Mexico in 1832. From December 1832 until October 1833 he again served as governor of the State of México, and in Congress as a deputy for his native state of Yucatán. In October 1833 President Antonio López de Santa Anna named Zavala to serve as the first minister plenipotentiary of the Mexican legation in Paris. When he learned that Santa Anna had assumed dictatorial powers later that year, Zavala denounced Santa Anna and resigned his commission. Santa Anna warned Zavala not to return to Mexico City, but this did not stop Zavala. In 1835 he traveled to New York and then to Texas, where he briefly shared a house with his friend Stephen F. Austin. Zavala was naturally drawn into the politics of Texas. He at first advocated the cause of Mexican Federalism, but later became a supporter of the independence movement. de Zavala was one of the signers of the Texas Declaration of Independence on March 2, 1836. He served in the Permanent Council and later as the representative of Harrisburg in the Consultation and the Convention of 1836. Zavala's legislative, executive, and diplomatic experience uniquely qualified him to help draft the Constitution of the Republic of Texas. The respect of his fellow delegates was evident when they elected him ad interim vice president of the new republic.

Zavala rejoined his family at their home at Zavala Point on Buffalo Bayou, from where they fled to Galveston Island as Santa Anna's army approached. After the Battle of San Jacinto, in accordance with the Treaties of Velasco, Zavala was appointed one of the peace commissioners to accompany Santa Anna to Mexico City, where the general was to persuade the central authorities to recognize the independence of Texas. Shortly thereafter, Zavala returned to his home due to failing health and gave up his part in the affairs of government. While out boating, his rowboat overturned in Buffalo Bayou. Zavala contracted pneumonia and died at his home on 15 November 1836. He preceded Austin in death by only four weeks. He is buried in his home town of Channelview, Texas. The State of Texas erected a monument over his grave.

• Lorenzo de Zavala Archives and Library Building, Texas State Library and Archives Commission, Austin

• Lorenzo de Zavala Middle School, Irving, Tx ISD

• Lorenzo DeZavala Elementary School, Magnolia Park, Houston

• De Zavala Elementary School, Channelview, Tx

• Lorenzo De Zavala Elementary School in Crystal City, Zavala County, Texas

• De Zavala Middle School, Amarillo, Tx

• Zavala County, Texas

• Lorenzo De Zavala Middle School, La Joya ISD ,La Joya TX