Silvio Zavala


Silvio Arturo Zavala Vallado was a pioneer in law history studies and Mexico’s institutions. He died at age 105 on December 12, 2014.

Biography

Early life

Silvio Zavala was born on February 7, 1909 in Mérida, Yucatán.
He studied at the National University of Mexico and at the University of Madrid, where he received a Ph.D. in Law.

Career

He began his professional career in Spain in the Center for Historic Studies in Madrid.
He has been a member of El Colegio Nacional since January 6, 1947, and of the Board of the Chronicle of Mexico City. He received the 1969 National Literature Award; the Vasco de Quiroga Medal ; the Rafael Heliodoro Valle Award ; the Eligio Ancona Medal; and the Prince of Asturias Award. He served as Ambassador of Mexico in France from 1966 to 1975.
He has written over sixty books and two hundred and fifty articles. In May 2008, at the age of 99, the National Institute of Anthropology and History bestowed upon him the Acknowledgment to a Lifetime Career to honor his work as a historian, scholar, researcher, thinker and cultural advocate. He died in Mexico City on December 5, 2014 at the age of 105.

Selected works