History, biography and nation in early nineteenth century Argentina: Sarmiento read by Ricardo Rojas

Abstract

The writing of biographies and autobiographies is an important part of Argentinean historiography. In the nineteenth century, they sought to present the life and virtues of potential candidates for national leadership, connecting them to a historical experience different from that of the caudillos and montoneras. However, it is remarkable in these works some of the hard difficulties faced by the Argentinean intellectuals to formulate an historical narrative which could conciliate the universes of the cities and the pampas. Twentieth century nationalist historians such as Ricardo Rojas embraced this project, producing biographies of â??great menâ?? of Argentinean history who synthesized and harmonized in themselves the conflicting elements of national history. This article discusses the biography of Domingo Sarmiento, El profeta de la pampa, examining the strategies used by Rojas to show Sarmiento as a representative man who brings in himself indigenous, gaucho and criollo components.