Lucas Fernandez de Piedrahita

FERNANDEZ DE PIEDRAHITA, Lucas, South American historian, born in Bogotá in 1624; died in Panama in 1688. He studied in his native City in the Jesuit College of San Bartolomé, and finished his education in the University of Santo Tomás, where he was graduated as doctor of theology in 1647. During his academic years he published several dramas, which have not been preserved. In 1654 he was appointed prebendary of the cathedral of Bogotá, became successively its canon, treasurer, and precentor, and was vicar general and governor of the archbishopric.

His work is considered, together with Garcilaso de la Vega's, as the most reliable history of the conquest and of the 17th century, especially as regards New Granada and Ecuador. It was not completed, as after the publication of the first part (Antwerp, 1688) the author died, and it is not known what became of his manuscript.

In Spain he was offered the bishopric of Santa Marta, confirmed by the pope, and in 1669 sailed for Cartagena, where he was consecrated. He began to visit, evangelize, and partly civilize the savages in his diocese, and began to rebuild in stone his cathedral, which had been constructed of wood and straw. He distributed his whole revenue in charities, and lived in poverty.

In 1676 he was promoted to the bishopric of Panama, but before he could leave Santa Marta the city was taken and sacked by the buccaneers Duncan and Cos. The Churches were pillaged, the bishop taken prisoner, and the pirates, believing his poor apparel to be a sign of avarice and miserly habit, subjected him to torture, to find out the hiding place of his money and jewelry. As he was unable to pay his ransom he was carried as a prisoner to the Island of Providence and delivered to the buccaneer Chief Morgan.

This chief was moved by the venerable appearance of Fernandez, set him at liberty without ransom, and, hearing that he had been appointed bishop of Panama, made him a present of a costly chalice and pontifical robe which had fallen to his share in the sack of Panama in 1670, and conducted him with the greatest respect in one of his ships to Chagres.

Scarcely had Fernandez arrived in Panama when he began preaching to the wild tribes of the Isthmus of Darien, spending his whole income in this task. His sermons were heard not only in the pulpit, but also weekly in the Streets and public squares of Panama, until he died, poor but venerated by all.

FERNANDEZ DE PIEDRAHITA, Lueas, South American historian, born in Bogota in 1624; died in Panama in 1688. He studied in his native City in the Jesuit College of San Bartolome, and finished his education in the University of Santo Tomas, where he was graduated as doctor of theology in 1647. During his academical years he published several dramas, which have not been preserved. In 1654 he was appointed prebendary of the cathedral of Bogota, became successively its canon, treasurer, and precentor, and was vicar general and governor of the archbishopric His work is considered, together with Garcilaso de la Vega's, as the most reliable history of the conquest and of the 17th century, especially as regards New Granada and Ecuador. It was not completed, as after the publication of the first part (Antwerp, 1688) the author died, and it is not known what became of his manuscript. In Spain he was offered the bishopric of Santa Marta, confirmed by the pope, and in 1669 sailed for Cartagena, where he was consecrated. He began to visit, evangelize, and partly civilize the savages in his diocese, and began to rebuild in stone his cathedral, which had been constructed of wood and straw. He distributed his whole revenue in charities, and lived in poverty. In 1676 he was promoted to the bishopric of Panama, but before he could leave Santa Marta this City was taken and sacked by the buccaneers Duncan and Cos. The Churches were pillaged, the bishop taken prisoner, and the pirates, believing his poor apparel to be a sign of avarice and miserly habit, subjected him to torture, to find out the hiding place of his money and jewelry. As he was unable to pay his ransom he was carried as a prisoner to the Island of Providence and delivered to the buccaneer Chief Morgan. This chief was moved by the venerable appearance of Fernandez, set him at liberty without ransom, and, hearing that he had been appointed bishop of Panama, made him a present of a costly chalice and pontifical robe which had fallen to his share in the sack of Panama in 1670, and conducted him with the greatest respect in one of his ships to Chagres. Scarcely had Fernandez arrived in Panama when he began preaching to the wild tribes of the Isthmus of Darien, spending his whole income in this task. His sermons were heard not only in the pulpit, but also weekly in the Streets and public squares of Panama, until he died, poor but venerated by all.

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