In his lifetime, the Peruvian Ricardo Palma (1838-1919) was one of the most popular and imitated writers in Latin America. As head of the National Library in Lima, Palma had access to a rich source of historical journals and records. His historical miscellanies, which he called "traditions," are witty anecdotes about conquerors, viceroys, corrupt and lovelorn friars, tragic loves and notorious characters.