Las Casas: "The Apostle of the Indies"

Metadata

Gutenberg ID

23613

Title

Las Casas: "The Apostle of the Indies"

Language

en

Book source

Project Gutenberg

Description max 80 words

This 1917 biography chronicles the life of Bartolomé de Las Casas, the Spanish friar who became the 'Apostle of the Indies.' Knight details his transformation from a colonial slaveholder to a fierce advocate for indigenous rights, highlighting his struggles against Spanish cruelty and his enduring legacy as a humanitarian hero.

Summary up to 500 words

Born in Seville in 1474, Bartolomé de Las Casas initially arrived in Hispaniola seeking fortune, complying with the era's norms by taking indigenous people as slaves. However, witnessing the brutal treatment of natives and the destruction of his own settlement by angry indigenous forces, his perspective shifted dramatically. After a period of seclusion where he wrote his 'History of the Indies,' he returned to Spain to fight for justice. His most famous moment occurred at the Council of Valladolid, where he debated theologian Juan Ginés Sepúlveda. While Sepúlveda argued for the conquest of the New World, Las Casas passionately defended the Indians as rational beings deserving of freedom rather than enslavement. Despite fierce opposition and personal attacks, Las Casas tirelessly petitioned the Spanish crown. His efforts successfully repealed laws allowing perpetual enslavement and established protections for indigenous peoples. His life serves as a powerful testament to moral courage and the enduring fight against injustice. Alice J. Knight portrays him not merely as a missionary, but as a historian, philanthropist, and ruler who stood alone against the cupidity and cruelty of his time. Knight emphasizes that Las Casas was a man consumed by a burning desire to protect the weak, sacrificing his own wealth, time, and safety for the principles of liberty and mercy. Even at the age of ninety-two, he continued to write and plead for the Indians, dying only after ensuring his mission to defend them remained alive in the hearts of others. His legacy endures as one of the most beautiful and sublime figures in the annals of Christianity, representing a star shining in the darkness of an unjust age.

LLM editorial rating

4.2/5

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Categories

• Religion
• Biography
• History