author
Francisco Montes
1805–1851
Remembered as Paquiro, this celebrated Spanish matador helped shape modern bullfighting in the first half of the 19th century. His fame spread far beyond the ring, making him one of the best-known figures of his era.
1 Audiobook
Tauromaquia completa, ó sea, El arte de torear en plaza
by Francisco Montes
About the author
Born in Chiclana de la Frontera, Cádiz, in 1805, Francisco Montes Reina became famous under the nickname Paquiro. Before entering the bullring, he had hoped to study surgery, but family circumstances changed his path.
He rose to prominence as a matador and became a public celebrity in Spain. He is especially remembered for helping codify the style, dress, and practice of bullfighting, giving the spectacle a more formal shape that influenced later generations.
Paquiro died in 1851, but his name remained part of Spanish cultural memory. For readers interested in 19th-century Spain, he stands out as both a performer and a larger-than-life popular figure.