kids encyclopedia robot

Florencio García Goyena facts for kids

Kids Encyclopedia Facts
Quick facts for kids
The Most Excellent
Florencio García Goyena
Prime Minister of Spain
In office
12 September 1847 – 4 October 1847
Monarch Isabella II
Preceded by Joaquin Francisco Pacheco
Succeeded by Ramon Maria Narvaez
Personal details
Born
Florencio García Goyena
Nationality Spanish

Florencio García Goyena (born in 1783 in Tafalla, Navarre – died in 1855) was an important Spanish lawyer and politician. He is best known for his work on Spanish law.

Who Was Florencio García Goyena?

Florencio García Goyena was a Spanish jurist, which means he was an expert in law. He was born in 1783 in a town called Tafalla, located in the Navarre region of Spain. He passed away in 1855.

His Early Life and Legal Career

García Goyena studied law in two major Spanish cities: Madrid and Salamanca. After finishing his studies, he worked as a legal advisor. He helped the Cortes (the Spanish parliament) of Navarre. He also advised the governors of provinces like Léon, Granada, and Zaragoza.

He was known for his liberal views. This meant he believed in more individual freedoms and rights for people. Because of his political ideas, he had to leave Spain and live in France for a while. This period of "exile" lasted from 1823 to 1834.

A Career in Law and Politics

When he returned to Spain, García Goyena continued his legal career. He worked as a "fiscal," which is like a public prosecutor, in the city of Burgos. He also held official positions in the provinces of Navarre, Guipúzcoa, and Zaragoza.

In 1835, he became a judge. He served in the appeals court in Burgos. Later, he became a judge in the Audiencia (a high court) and the Supreme Court in Madrid. These were very important legal positions.

In 1847, he briefly served as the Minister of Justice. This role meant he was in charge of the country's legal system. From September 12 to October 4, 1847, he even served as the Prime Minister of Spain. This is the head of the government, similar to a president in some countries.

The Important Civil Code

One of García Goyena's most significant achievements was leading a group that worked on a new set of laws. This group created a draft of a civil code for Spain in 1851. A civil code is a collection of laws that deal with everyday life, like property, contracts, and inheritance. Most of this draft was written by García Goyena himself.

However, this new code was not officially adopted at the time. Powerful regional families strongly opposed it. They felt that the proposed changes to inheritance and property laws would threaten their power and influence.

Even though it wasn't passed right away, García Goyena's draft was very important. It became the main basis for the codification (the process of organizing laws into a system) that happened later. This work was finally completed by Alonso Martínez in 1888 and 1889. García Goyena's efforts laid the groundwork for modern Spanish law.

kids search engine
Florencio García Goyena Facts for Kids. Kiddle Encyclopedia.