Juan de la Pezuela y Cevallos facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
The Most Excellent
Juan de la Pezuela
|
|
|---|---|
ca.1880
|
|
| Born |
Juan González de la Pezuela y Cevallos
16 May 1810 Lima, Peru
|
| Died | 1 November 1906 (aged 96) Madrid, Spain
|
| Seat a of the Real Academia Española | |
| In office 25 February 1847 – 1 November 1906 |
|
| Preceded by | Seat established |
| Succeeded by | Antonio Hernández Fajarnés |
| Director of the Real Academia Española | |
| In office 2 December 1875 – 1 November 1906 |
|
| Preceded by | Mariano Roca de Togores |
| Succeeded by | Alejandro Pidal y Mon |
Juan González de la Pezuela y Cevallos (born May 16, 1810, in Lima, Peru – died November 1, 1906, in Madrid, Spain) was an important Spanish politician, soldier, and writer. He held several important titles, like the Count of Cheste and Marquis de la Pezuela. He was also a Grandee of Spain, which is a very high noble rank.
Contents
Juan de la Pezuela's Life Story
Juan was the second son of Joaquín de la Pezuela and Angela de Cevallos. His father was the first Marquess of Viluma.
Juan lived in Peru until he was about 11 years old. In 1833, he became a captain in the army. He fought in the First Carlist War, where he showed great bravery in the Battle of Cheste. Later, he was involved in a military plan to support Maria Christina, but it did not succeed.
After spending two years away from Spain, he returned and became a member of the Cortes, which is like a parliament. In 1846, he briefly served as the Minister of the Navy. In 1848, he became the Captain General of Madrid, a high military position.
Governing in the Caribbean
Later in 1848, Juan de la Pezuela was chosen to be the Governor of Puerto Rico. He stayed in this role until 1851. While he was governor, he helped start the Royal Academy of Belles Letters in Puerto Rico. He also famously banned the new dance called Merengue, because he thought it was "corrupting."
From 1853 to 1854, he served as the Governor of Cuba. After his time in Cuba, he returned to Spain. He became the Captain General of Catalonia and the Captain General of the Army in October 1867.
Later Years and Literary Work
During the 1868 Revolution, Juan de la Pezuela supported Queen Isabella II of Spain. When the monarchy was defeated, he lost his important positions. He was not given major roles during the reign of King Amadeo I or during the First Republic that followed.
However, when King Alfonso XII came to the throne in 1874, Juan de la Pezuela was able to return to public life. He was chosen to be a member of the Real Academia Española, which is the official royal institution that protects the Spanish language. He took his seat on December 2, 1875. On the same day, he became the director of the Academy. He also received a very special award called the Order of the Golden Fleece.
Juan de la Pezuela spent the last 30 years of his life focusing on literature. He translated many famous books. These included the Portuguese epic poem Os Lusíadas by Luís de Camões and The Divine Comedy by Dante.
Sources
- Real Academia de la Historia
- Enciclopedia catalana
- Senado de España
See also
In Spanish: Juan de la Pezuela para niños
