Pedro Simón facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Fray Pedro Simón
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Painting of Pedro Simón (1941)
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| Born | 1574 San Lorenzo de la Parrilla, Spain |
| Died | ca. 1628 Ubaté, New Kingdom of Granada |
| Language | Spanish |
| Subject | Muisca religion, mythology, History of Colombia and Venezuela |
| Notable work | Noticias historiales de las conquistas de Tierra Firme en las Indias occidentales (1626) |
Fray Pedro Simón was a Spanish friar (a type of religious brother) and a professor. He was also a chronicler, which means he wrote down important historical events. He lived from 1574 to around 1628.
Pedro Simón wrote about the native peoples of what are now Colombia and Venezuela. These areas were known as the New Kingdom of Granada back then. His writings are very important for understanding the history of these regions. He is considered one of the most important scholars who studied the Muisca culture. His work helped later historians and researchers, like Alexander von Humboldt.
Pedro Simón's Life Story
Pedro Simón was born in San Lorenzo de la Parrilla, Spain. He studied in Cartagena, Spain. In 1603, he traveled across the ocean to Cartagena de Indias in what is now Colombia.
In 1608, Simón went with Juan de Borja. He wrote about Borja's war against the Pijao people. On June 3, 1623, he was given an important role. He became the "custodian" of the Franciscan religious group in the New Kingdom of Granada.
His Most Famous Book
In 1623, Pedro Simón started writing his most famous book. It was called Noticias historiales de las conquistas de Tierra Firme en las Indias Occidentales. This long title means "Historical News of the Conquests of the Mainland in the West Indies."
The book was published in Cuenca, Spain, in 1626 or 1627. Later, new versions of his book were printed in Bogotá. One part of his work was even published in English. It was called "Expedition of Pedro de Ursua and Lope de Aguirre."
After finishing his important book, Simón moved to a convent (a religious building) in Ubaté, Cundinamarca. He passed away there sometime between late 1626 and early 1628.
See also
In Spanish: Pedro Simón para niños
- List of Muisca scholars
- Muisca
