José Finat y Escrivá de Romaní facts for kids
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José María de la Blanca Finat y Escrivá de Romaní (born in Madrid, Spain, on February 11, 1904 – died in Madrid, Spain, on May 30, 1995) was an important Spanish politician and government official. He held several key jobs during the time of Francoist Spain. After the Spanish Civil War, he became the Director General of Security. From 1952 to 1965, he served as the Mayor of Madrid.
Contents
About His Life
Early Years and Education
José Finat was born into a noble family. His father, José Finat y Carvajal, held several important titles, including Count of Mayalde. His mother was Blanca Escrivá de Romaní y de la Quintana.
José Finat started his public career in Toledo. He was supported by a well-known politician, the Count of Romanones. This was during the last years of King Alfonso XIII's rule. In 1919, he inherited his father's title and became the Count of Mayalde. He studied law at university. He also began a military career as an artillery commander.
Political Beginnings
He became active in politics with the Liberal-Conservative Party. This was during the local elections of 1931. After the Second Republic was formed, his political views became stronger. He started to support the Spanish Falange. This party later joined a larger national movement.
He took part in the elections of 1933 and 1936. He ran under the banners of the Popular Action Party and the Spanish Confederation of Autonomous Right-wing Groups (CEDA). During the Spanish Civil War, he worked as a personal secretary for Ramón Serrano Suñer.
Important Roles in Government
After the Civil War, José Finat became the Director General of Security (DGS). In this role, he was involved in the arrest of Lluís Companys, a leader from Catalonia. He also helped create a collection of documents to keep track of Jewish residents in Spain. This collection was known as the "Jewish Archive".
Between 1941 and 1942, he served as Spain's Ambassador to Germany. This was during Operation Barbarossa, a major event in World War II. During this time, Spanish volunteers, known as the Blue Division, fought on the front lines.
In 1952, he was named the Mayor of Madrid. He held this position until 1965. This made him Madrid's longest-serving mayor. Later, in 1971, he became a member of the Cortes. He also served as a Minister in Franco's National Movement. In his later years, he retired to a ranch.
Later Life and Legacy
José Finat was also known as a cattleman. In 1982, he became the President of the Union of Breeders of Fighting Bulls.
Today, a street in Hortaleza is named after him, called the Avenida del Alcalde Conde de Mayalde. There is also a public school named "Conde de Mayalde" in Añover de Tajo.
Noble Titles He Held
- 17th Count of Mayalde
- 3rd Count of Finat
- 15th Count of Villaflor
- 14th Marquess of Terranova
Images for kids
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José Finat y Escrivá de Romaní as Ambassador to Germany in 1941 (National Digital Archive, Poland)
See also
In Spanish: José Finat y Escrivá de Romaní para niños
