1914; “Rites”), containing original poems and free translations from French, Italian, and Portuguese, established his literary reputation at home and abroad as a leader of the experimental Modernist movement with its exotic imagery.

He had the poetry magazine Paginas de Anarkos, considered a major journal associated with many Colombian literary figures of the time.

[citation needed] He was never a prolific poet; in later years, he abandoned original poetry almost entirely, concentrating on translations.

He also turned more frequently to writing essays, many of which are collected in Panegíricos, discursos y artículos (1933; “Panegyrics, Speeches, and Articles”).

[citation needed] He led an active career as a statesman and a diplomat and was twice a candidate for the presidency of Colombia, in 1918 and 1930.