Early Life
Born to wealthy Creoles on July 24, 1783, Simón José Antonio de la Santísima Trinidad Bolívar y Palacios Ponte y Blanco (Simón Bolivar) was born in Caracas, New Granada (now Venezuela). His father, Juan Vicente Bolívar y Ponte died when he was three. His mother, Maria de la Concepcion Palacios y Blanco, died six years later. He was now an orphan.
Simón Bolívar's birthplace. Casa Natal de Boliva. Caracas, Venezuela. 2006. SimonBolivar.org
Bolívar's Education
Simón was raised by his uncle, Carlos Palacios. His uncle employed a tutor, Simon Rodriguez, who exposed Simón to the writers of the Enlightenment. Some of those writers were Voltaire and Rousseau. They were the inspirations for the French Revolution. Simón Rodríguez fled the country when he was suspected of conspiring to overthrow Spain's colonial rule in 1796.
Simón Rodríguez greatly inspired Bolívar. He was a Great Philosopher, Educator and Writer.
Simón Rodríguez. Anonymous artist. Unknown date.
Moonmentum.com
Moonmentum.com
Bolivar entered the Military Academy of the Milicias de Veraguas when he was 14 and he became a Lieutenant as a Cavalry Officer.
At the age of 16, Bolívar went to Spain to complete his education. On the way, his ship stopped in Vera Cruz. He was granted an audience with the Viceroy. Simón praised the French Revolution and American Independence. Him saying made the Spanish officials nervous. |
Young Simon Bolivar. 1800s. Cimarrones-peru.org
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Tragically Brief Marriage
In 1802, Bolívar married the daughter of a nobleman in Spain and returned to Caracas.
She tragically died a year later from yellow fever.
Her name was Maria Teresa Rodriguez del Toro y Alaysa.
He promised himself that he would never marry again.
As a way of keeping his mind off of his grief, Bolívar decided to return to Europe to immerse himself in the intellectual and political world that he had found so stimulating.