Laureano Figuerola facts for kids
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Laureano Figuerola y Ballester (born 4 July 1816 in Calaf, died 28 February 1903 in Madrid) was an important Spanish lawyer, economist, and politician. He served as Spain's finance minister during a period called the Sexenio Democrático (a time of democratic rule). He is most famous for making the peseta the official money of Spain.
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Laureano Figuerola's Early Life and Education
Laureano Figuerola studied philosophy first. Then, he earned a law degree in 1838. He received his doctorate from the University of Barcelona in 1840.
He started teaching constitutional law there. By 1845, he became a full professor. He taught administrative law and political economics. In 1853, he moved to the Central University of Madrid. There, he taught political economics and law.
Joining Important Groups
Four years later, Figuerola became one of the first members of the Real Academia de Ciencias Morales y Políticas (RACMP). This was a very important group for moral and political sciences.
He also helped start a group called the "Sociedad Libre de Economía Política." This group worked to promote the idea of free trade. Free trade means countries can buy and sell goods to each other without many rules or taxes. He worked with other important people like José Echegaray and Segismundo Moret.
Becoming a Government Minister
After a big event called the Revolution of 1868, Spain formed a new government. Francisco Serrano y Dominguez, who led this government, chose Figuerola to be the finance minister. This job involves managing the country's money.
Figuerola held this position for about a year. During this time, he signed an important order. This order officially made the peseta the only money used in Spain. This was a very big change for the country.
He served as finance minister again from late 1869 to 1870. This was just before Amedeo I became the new king of Spain.
Leaving Government and Later Life
During his second time as finance minister, things became difficult for Figuerola. Some people in the Spanish parliament, like Francisco Pi y Margall, disagreed with his ideas. Business owners also opposed some of his plans.
Even though his friend, Juan Prim, supported him, Figuerola decided to resign. He felt it was best to step down from his role.
After leaving the government, he continued to be active. In 1876, he was chosen to lead the Board of Directors for the Institución Libre de Enseñanza. This was a new educational institution. He was also one of its first faculty members. Other famous people like Nicolás Salmerón and Joaquín Costa were also involved.
In 1885, he was elected as a councillor for the Ayuntamiento of Madrid. This meant he helped manage the city of Madrid. From 1898 until he passed away, he was the president of the RACMP.
See also
In Spanish: Laureano Figuerola para niños
