Francisco Álvarez Campana facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Don Francisco Álvarez Campana
Procurador General of Buenos Aires
In office 1764–1765
Monarch	Charles III of Spain
Preceded by	Baltasar de Arandia
Succeeded by	Santiago de Castilla
Regidor of the Buenos Aires Cabildo
In office 1764–1765
Personal details
Born	Francisco Antonio Álvarez Campana y Vega 1707 Cádiz, Spain
Died	30 December 1773 Buenos Aires, Argentina
Resting place	Convento de San Francisco
Spouse	Isabel Gil Rodríguez
Children	Timoteo Alvarez Campana José Miguel Álvarez Campana Ana Eusebia Álvarez Campana
Relatives	Mariano Marcos Esparza Sánchez (godson)
Occupation	politician merchant charity
Profession	attorney
Signature

Francisco Álvarez Campana (1707–1773) was an important Spanish merchant and politician. He lived in the area that is now Argentina, during a time when it was part of the Viceroyalty of Peru under Spanish rule. He was known for his work as a city official, serving as a Regidor (like a city council member) and Procurador General (a public attorney) in Buenos Aires. One of his biggest achievements was founding the Colegio de Huérfanas de Buenos Aires, a special school for orphan girls. The city of Campana in Argentina is even named after him!

Early Life and Move to Buenos Aires

Francisco Álvarez Campana was born in 1707 in Cádiz, Spain. His parents were Bernardo Alvarez Campana y Montes de Oca and Josefa Manuela Vega y Olivera. They came from important families in Andalusia, a region in southern Spain.

After studying in Spain, Francisco moved to Buenos Aires around 1750. At that time, Buenos Aires was a growing city in the Spanish colonies.

Public Service and Charity Work

Francisco quickly became involved in public life in Buenos Aires. He took on various roles, especially in charity organizations.

• In 1754, he became the Hermano Mayor (Head Brother) of the Hermandad de la Santa Caridad of Buenos Aires. This was a brotherhood dedicated to helping those in need.
• That same year, he asked the city council, known as the Cabildo, for permission to build a school for orphan girls. This school was called the Casa de Niñas Huérfanas (House of Orphan Girls).
• The King of Spain approved his request on October 16, 1754.
• The orphanage had a room with thirteen beds for women. Slaves and the orphan girls from the college helped care for them.
• Francisco also asked the council to tell the King that a care home for homeless people and a charity hospital were needed.

In 1754, Francisco Álvarez Campana also asked the City Council to stop the bullfights. These events were planned during a religious celebration called the Jubilee.

Political and Business Roles

Francisco continued to be active in the city's government and economy.

• In 1760, he was chosen to be a Regidor (a member of the city council).
• Later, he became the Procurador General of Buenos Aires. This role was like a public attorney, representing the city's interests.
• He was also a successful merchant. By 1765, he opened a tannery near the Riachuelo. This factory processed animal hides into leather.
• His factory, however, caused some environmental issues in the area.
• Francisco also owned a large farm called "Rincón de Campana." Here, he raised cattle.

Later Life and Legacy

In 1766, Francisco faced some legal trouble. He was briefly arrested by royal order. The government of Buenos Aires took control of some of his properties. However, he was released in 1771. After his release, he asked for permission to return to leading the Escuela Huérfanas.

Francisco married Isabel Gil Rodríguez on October 17, 1762, in Buenos Aires. They had several children.

Francisco Álvarez Campana passed away on December 30, 1773, in Buenos Aires. He was buried at the Convento de San Francisco.

His legacy lives on in Argentina. On April 18, 1875, the brothers Eduardo and Luis Costa founded a town in Buenos Aires Province. They named it Campana in honor of Francisco Álvarez Campana. He was the first owner of those lands back in 1757.

See also

In Spanish: Francisco Álvarez Campana para niños