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His place and date of its birth are currently being disputed, as some scholars claimed he was born in "Cacahuatique" (today "Ciudad Barrios") in the department of San Miguel, whereas others assure that he was born in "San Juan Lempa" (today "Nuevo Edén de San Juan"), possibly on the 3rd of October, 1813; or as others claim, on the 24th of September of the same year.

His parents were Don Jose Maria Barrios, himself a descendant of Don Pedro Joaquín Barrios who was born in France from Spanish parents; and Doña Margarita Cisneros Ávila, born in San Miguel and herself also from Spanish origin. The mother of Gen. Barrios was Doña Petrona Espinoza de Barrios, from San Miguel. His sisters were: Petronila, Maria Josefa and Onicéfora.

Despite the dispute of his date of birth, there is no doubt on his date of baptism. It was on the 24th of October, 1813 in the "Parroquia de Sesori". His Godfather was Don Tomás Castillo.

He began his political career as a deputy of the liberal party, representing the Department of San Miguel; he scaled and became first a secretary of the Senate, then it's President and later on designated to the presidency.

Gen. Barrios was a liberal and supported the unity of Central America. He served as president of El Salvador four times

1. From June 24^th, 1858 and until the 18th of September of the same year.

2. From March 12^th, 1859 and until the 1^st of February, 1860.

   *It was during this period that he was granted (by Legislative Decree) the degree of "Capitán General" or "Captain General".

3. From February 1^st and until the 16^th of December, 1860.

4. From February 7^th,1861 and until the 26^th of February, 1863.

He started his military life whilst an adolescent, after enrolling in the "Ejercito Federal Centroamericano" or Central American Federal Army, directed by the Gen. Francisco Morazan who was at the time fighting so that the Provinces of Central America remained united. In Morazan's vision, this would create a great mother country; a prosperous nation which would exploit its potential (earth, man and capital) for the well-being of it's population. On July of the same year they both fought in the battle of "Gualcho" against Colonel Vicente Dominguez's Federal Forces. This moment marks what until the day of his death it would be his political and military life.

Morazan was Gen. Barrios's mentor, not only in the military doctrine but in Politics,Political Economics, Ethics and his overall formation as a man and Central American citizen in the search of the well-being of his comrades. Barrios was Morazan's closest' disciple in who he saw attributes of military leader in times of peace and war.

In 1856 he directed the Salvadorean troops who travelled to Nicaragua to fight the invasion of the American William Walker. In 1910 he was awarded the title of "National Hero".

When reaching the presidency (for a second time) in 1859 he worked to impel the creation of normal schools (founding personally, four schools during its presidency) specialised on formation of primary school teachers. Also, he carried out the first Educative Reform of the country, going from Primary Education and to University. He was the first one to speaks about gender education and made the difference between education under Catholics and Laity. To its government the introduction of the Coffee in the Salvadorean territory is attributed to him.

The introduction of Coffee to the country is attributed to his government. He was also the main character in the introduction of the cultivation of coffee as a substitution for the cultivation of Indigo. After verifying the "Reforma Jurídica" with the promulgation of 4 codes; he encouraged the developments of coffee plantations (giving land to farmers and campesinos for them to cultivate Coffee) and tobacco plantations, agro-industrial products he thought had future in the international market.

Barrios built roads from the production centres to the consumption and/or export centres. Throughout his government, he reconstructed 3 ports: Acajutla, La Libertad and La Unión; he also initiated the merchant marine.

In 1863 the war between the liberal government of Gen. Barrios and the Government of Guatemalan's Conservative President Rafael Carrera. On June 20^th, 1863 Carrera with the help of Nicaragua's and his army, invaded our country, isolating Gen. Barrios in San Salvador for a period of 119 days. The population of San Salvador defended its city and Barrios fought his enemies without rest. Food, water and ammunition supplies were scarce after this time and so on October 26^th, 1863, Gnral. Barrios admitted defeat and auto-exiled himself in Panama.

With support of the Guatemalan government a new Conservative Regime headed by Francisco Dueñas was appointed to El Salvador.

Gen. Gerardo Barrios was apprehended on the territorial waters of Nicaragua on June 27^th,1865. General Martinez, the then President of Nicaragua, extradited Barrios so he could be judged in El Salvador. Barrios has a political trial and on August 29^th, 1865, he was sentenced and executed; he was 52 years old.

Nowadays Gen. Barrios is a well remembered and admired figure in El Salvador. His name and presence are still perceived in the country, there are two cities renamed after him: "Ciudad Barrios" and "San Gerardo", and a major street after him, as well as having his life taught at schools.