Аннотация

The article analyses the evolution of the image of Simon Bolivar in the United States during his life. The initial interest of late 1810s culminated in the coined epithet “Bolivar is Washington of the South” which implied the ideals of national liberation, republicanism, rational freedom and hopes of the happy retirement a la Cincinnatus. This epithet was especially popular in 1823–1826 but then gave place to an image of a vain follower of Napoleon, i.e. the usurper of the popular revolution and military tyrant. Since ca. 1821–1823 and till his death in 1830 the Liberator personified the South American revolutions, and the change of his public image in the United States both reflected and was a result of the North American transition from illusions of early 1820s to severe disappointment in the prospects of South brethren.