He was born in the northern Honduran department of Santa Bárbara on 3 June 1849 to Saturnino Bográn Bonilla and Gertrudis Barahona Leiva.

He is known for greatly expanding the educational system by establishing a number of learning institutions around the country, attracting considerable foreign investment (especially into the agricultural sector), improving the infrastructure of the capital city, and encouraging research and investigation of the ancient Mayan city of Copán.

As a strong supporter of Francisco Morazán's ideal, President Bográn was a unionist and attempted to bring about, with the help of then-Guatemalan President Justo Rufino Barrios, the unification of the five Central American states.

Ultimately, the unionist agenda was defeated as the ultra-conservative power elites in these states successfully thwarted unification attempts.

He also attracted substantial foreign investment, especially into the agricultural arena, which resulted in job creation and economic development of the northern coast.