Poet, orator, soldier and statesman of New Granada, born at Timbiqui on the 9th of July 1817; was educated in England, France and Italy, and upon returning to New Granada in 1838 took a course in law and politics at the University of Cauca. In 1839 he began his public life as editor of El Patriota, and later of El Independente; from that time on he took an active part in the troubles of his country, always on the conservative side of law and order, and holding many high military and political offices. While imprisoned by his enemies in 1851 he wrote two sublime poems of patriotic inspiration, Estoy en Carcel and Al Congreso Granadino, breathing a fervor which gained him the title “Giant of the Andes.” In 1853 he visited New York, and from 1855 he commanded the army of the constitutional party of New Granada and defeated the revolutionists in a number of engagements. He was assassinated on the 12th of November 1862, in the pass of Berruecos and his death made possible the success of the revolutionists and the establishment of the United States of Colombia.
