After graduating in Law and Natural Sciences from the University of Madrid and earning his doctoral degree in Science, he held the chair of Entomology in 1877. Throughout his career, Dr. Bolivar conducted a remarkable research work in his field and established a successful practice of academic and research administration.

Dr. Bolivar was the youngest founding member of the Spanish Society of Natural History. In addition, he held leadership positions as Director of Public Instruction, Director of the National Museum of Natural Sciences and the Royal Botanic Garden, Dean of the Faculty of Science and Vice President-of the Commission on Extension Studies of which he became President after the death of Ramón y Cajal.

His most important contribution throughout his academic career was his participation in the design of the study program of 1900, which meant a real revolution in Natural Sciences in particular, and in Science in general.  The improvement of infrastructures and educational resources would strengthen practical teaching in the scientific disciplines.

The end of the Civil War drove him into exile in Mexico, where he became a moral and academic role model for the community of exiles. Being older than 90, Dr. Bolivar still had the strength and courage to embark on the most ambitious scientific project in exile: the magazine "Science".

Ignacio Bolívar Urrutia's writings in the UCM Library

Ignacio Bolívar Urrutia's writings in the UCM library

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