When Simón Bolívar liberated five nations from 300 years of oppressive colonial rule by Spain he did so with an army mostly of volunteers and local militias. Unknown to most is the role played by a small number of volunteers from Britain who fought with Bolivar.
One such volunteer was Richard L. Vowell. Sociologist Maria Páez Victor (PhD ’87), author of the first biography of Vowell will discuss his life from a historical, social and environmental perspective.
The talk, “Liberty or Death! The Life and Campaigns of Richard L. Vowell in the Liberation of Latin America from Spain,” will take place Thursday, Feb. 5 at 141 Health, Nursing and Environmental Studies Building, Keele campus. Everyone is welcome to attend.
The life of Vowell is explored in Victor’s book, Liberty or Death! The Life and Campaigns of Richard L. Vowell, British Legionnaire and Commander- Hero and Patriot of the Americas. After 13 years in battles on land and sea, Vowell returned to Britain where he wrote vividly about his remarkable military experiences, the flora and fauna of the countries he explored, and the cultures he encountered.
Victor, born in Venezuela, is a founding member of the Louis Riel Bolivarian Circle, a board member of the Human Rights Press, and has participated in numerous events on TV, radio and in public meetings giving information on the political situation in Latin America.
The seminar is presented by the Centre for Research on Latin America and the Caribbean and the Faculty of Environmental Studies.