=López= (=Vicente Fidel=), Argentine jurisconsult, writer, and orator, was born in Buenos Aires in 1814. He was the son of the famous author of the Argentine National Hymn, López y Planes. Like many other Argentineans, he left his country during Rosas' reign, returning in 1852 to devote himself untiringly to the work of regeneration. Among his works are to be found both purely literary and historical writings, such as: _La Novia del Hereje o la Inquisición_, his monumental work on the _Conquista_, an erudite and scientific work, and his _Tratado del Derecho Romano_. He also wrote a series of articles on the Argentine Revolution for the _Revista del Río de la Plata_. In 1874 he succeeded Gutiérrez as president of the University of Buenos Aires. He died in 1903 after a life devoted to the service of his country. =Sarmiento= (=Domingo F.=) was born in San Juan in 1811 of humble parents. His father fought under San Martín in Chile. From early childhood he was left to his own resources, and has very often been called the Lincoln of Argentina. His love of books, his keen habits of observation, and a brilliant mind raised him from the humble position of clerk in a country store to the presidency of the Republic. During Rosas' rule, he joined the great army of Argentine refugees in Chile, founding schools there and taking an active part in the political life of the country as the editor of _El Mercurio_ and _El Nacional_, two important organs of the press. His first book was a primer, and his _El Monitor de las Escuelas_ was the first educational periodical in South America. In 1842 he founded the first normal school on the Pacific coast, directing it for three years. Through the pages of _El Progreso_ and _El Heraldo Argentino_ he carried on a tireless campaign against the tyrant Rosas. His impetuous character and the violence of his attacks made him many enemies, and, on the advice of President Montt of Chile, he undertook a series of travels through Europe, northern Africa, and the United States. He became a great admirer of the institutions and government of the United States, and particularly of the educational ideas of Horace Mann, with whom he came into close contact. Together with Mitre he returned to Argentina on the eve of the battle of Caseros, in which he fought under the orders of Urquiza. During the years that Buenos Aires was separated from the rest of the Confederation, he was director of public instruction. After the battle of Pavón, he was ambassador to Chile and Peru, and later to the United States, where he wrote _Las Escuelas, base de la prosperidad de los Estados Unidos_, and published an educational review entitled _Ambas Américas_. Upon the completion of Mitre's term of office in 1868, and while still an ambassador to the United States, he was elected to the presidency of Argentina. His administration was free from civil discord, and he carried out great reforms that made for the prosperity and progress of Argentina. He is