Conde de José María Queipo de Llano Ruiz de Saravia Toreno

Born in Oviedo in 1786, the 7th Count of Toreno grew up in a noble Asturian family and became active in public life during the Napoleonic era. He took part in the liberal politics of his time, served in the Cortes, and lived through periods of exile as Spain swung between constitutional reform and absolutist reaction.

Toreno also reached the top of government, serving briefly as prime minister in 1835. Alongside his political career, he built a lasting reputation as a historian, especially for his work on the uprising, war, and revolution in Spain during the struggle against Napoleon.

He died in Paris in 1843. Today he is remembered as a statesman and writer whose life captures the drama of modern Spain’s difficult birth.