Herrán initiated his education in the Colegio Mayor de San Bartolomé in Bogotá, but he dropped out of school at the age of 14 to join the revolutionary army in 1814.

His death sentence was commuted in exchange for serving in the Spanish Army, which he did for five years.

Later, he escaped and rejoined the revolutionary army of General Antonio José de Sucre with the rank of captain.

[1] Herrán also served as Envoy Extraordinary and Minister Plenipotentiary to the United States, Ecuador, the Holy See, and Costa Rica.

[1] Herrán was elected President by Congress in 1841, for a four years period, but he was not able to be inaugurated as he was still commanding the government troops in the war against the southern revolt.