Simón Bolívar (The Liberator): A Sketch of His Life and His Work

What it is

This is a biography of Simón Bolívar written by Guillermo A. Sherwell, a scholar and historian interested in the heroes of Spanish-American independence. It was first published in Washington in 1921 and later reprinted, with two Spanish translations.

Why it matters

This biography, written nearly a century after Bolívar's death, reflects how he was remembered as "Father of Five Nations" and a symbol of independence across Spanish America. It shows how admirers like Sherwell shaped Bolívar's legacy for new generations.

Look closer

• Why might the author describe Bolívar as "Patriot, Warrior, Statesman" in the subtitle?
• What does the mention of a statue of Bolívar in New York City suggest about his international reputation?
• How might a biography written in the 1920s differ from accounts written during Bolívar's lifetime?