Guevara, Ernesto (Che) (1928–1967)

Che Guevara was a Latin American Marxist guerrilla who helped lead the Cuban revolution and attempted to instigate communist revolutions in several other countries. His political theories and adventurous life have inspired many followers.

Guevara was born to middle-class parents in Rosario, Argentina, on May 14, 1928. (His birth certificate, forged to avoid scandal, states June 14, 1928.) At the age of two, Guevara developed the asthma that would haunt him throughout his life. Guevara's liberal, intellectual parents fostered his pursuit of knowledge. Guevara excelled at school, displaying an early interest in both politics and athletics—he was a passionate rugby player, a remarkable achievement given his asthma.

Graduating from secondary school with honors, in 1947 Guevara went on to medical school. In 1952, before completing his studies, he set off with a friend for several months, traveling through Argentina, Chile, Peru, Colombia, and Venezuela on ...