Marcelo de Azcarraga y Palmero
Encyclopedia
Marcelo Azcárraga Palmero (1832–1915) was the thirteenth Prime Minister of Spain
following the restoration of the Spanish monarchy. Azcárraga was also the only Spanish Prime Minister of Filipino descent.
, Philippines
, to General Jose Azcárraga, a native of Vizcaya
, Spain, a bookshop owner in Escolta, and to María Palmero, a Mestiza
from Albay
.
General José Azcárraga had many sons and daughters. Azcárraga was the second of the family's children. He studied law in the University of Santo Tomas
in Manila then entered the Nautical School, where he was awarded the first prize in Mathematics. He was sent to Spain by his father to enter the military academy and soon earned the rank of Captain in three years. Due to his services against the O'Donnell revolution in Spain, he was promoted to Major.
, Cuba
, and Santo Domingo
. Afterwards, he returned to Cuba and married one of the daughters of the wealthy Fesser family, owner and founder of Banco y Casa de Seguros Fessner, who allegedly gave him £20,000 on the day of his marriage.
, and became Lieutenant-General on the coronation of Alfonso XII as king. He was then elected to the Senate of Spain as a senator for life. He was the Minister of War under Antonio Cánovas del Castillo
, whose assassination on August 8, 1897 effectively made him the interim Prime Minister
of Spain until October 4 of that same year.
He went on to become Prime Minister of Spain twice again in two more separate incidents.
, the highest possible distinction given to a person in Spain, for his tirelessly defending the Spanish Monarchy
and for keeping Spain in relative peace. Earlier, he received the Cross of San Fernando which already entitled him to a pension. Don Marcelo Azcárraga died in Cuba.
Lizarraga family, heirs of the fallen Conde de Lizarraga. His maternal uncles' families, collectively known as the "Palmero brothers" or "Hermanos Palmero" were active in Philippine politics before World War II. He was also an uncle to the self-styled Conde de Albay, also known as Senor Govantes.
to San Miguel
, both in the city of Manila
was named after Azcárraga. However, it was changed after Filipino independence in 1945 to Claro M. Recto
Avenue. Nevertheless, the street is still known as Calle Azcárraga in the transportation sector and among commuters.
Prime Minister of Spain
The President of the Government of Spain , sometimes known in English as the Prime Minister of Spain, is the head of Government of Spain. The current office is established under the Constitution of 1978...
following the restoration of the Spanish monarchy. Azcárraga was also the only Spanish Prime Minister of Filipino descent.
Early life
Azcárraga was born in 1832, in ManilaManila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
, Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
, to General Jose Azcárraga, a native of Vizcaya
Biscay
Biscay is a province of Spain and a historical territory of the Basque Country, heir of the ancient Lord of Biscay. Its capital city is Bilbao...
, Spain, a bookshop owner in Escolta, and to María Palmero, a Mestiza
Filipino mestizo
Filipino mestizo is a term used in the Philippines to describe people of mixed Filipino and foreign ancestry. The word mestizo is of Spanish origin, and was originally used in the Americas to only describe people of mixed European and Native American ancestry.- History :Spanish periodThe Spanish...
from Albay
Albay
Albay is a province of the Philippines located in the Bicol Region in Luzon. Its capital is Legazpi City and the province borders Camarines Sur to the north and Sorsogon to the south. Also to the northeast is Lagonoy Gulf....
.
General José Azcárraga had many sons and daughters. Azcárraga was the second of the family's children. He studied law in the University of Santo Tomas
University of Santo Tomas
The Pontifical and Royal University of Santo Tomas, The Catholic University of the Philippines , is a private Roman Catholic university run by the Order of Preachers in Manila. Founded on April 28, 1611 by archbishop of Manila Miguel de Benavides, it has the oldest extant university charter in the...
in Manila then entered the Nautical School, where he was awarded the first prize in Mathematics. He was sent to Spain by his father to enter the military academy and soon earned the rank of Captain in three years. Due to his services against the O'Donnell revolution in Spain, he was promoted to Major.
Marriage
At the age of 23, he was awarded the Cross of San Fernando, which is a pension grant. He was sent to various colonies of Spain, including MexicoMexico
The United Mexican States , commonly known as Mexico , is a federal constitutional republic in North America. It is bordered on the north by the United States; on the south and west by the Pacific Ocean; on the southeast by Guatemala, Belize, and the Caribbean Sea; and on the east by the Gulf of...
, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, and Santo Domingo
Dominican Republic
The Dominican Republic is a nation on the island of La Hispaniola, part of the Greater Antilles archipelago in the Caribbean region. The western third of the island is occupied by the nation of Haiti, making Hispaniola one of two Caribbean islands that are shared by two countries...
. Afterwards, he returned to Cuba and married one of the daughters of the wealthy Fesser family, owner and founder of Banco y Casa de Seguros Fessner, who allegedly gave him £20,000 on the day of his marriage.
Years as Prime Minister
In 1868, on the deposal of Isabella II as queen of Spain, he returned to Spain, hastened the restoration of the BourbonsHouse of Bourbon
The House of Bourbon is a European royal house, a branch of the Capetian dynasty . Bourbon kings first ruled Navarre and France in the 16th century. By the 18th century, members of the Bourbon dynasty also held thrones in Spain, Naples, Sicily, and Parma...
, and became Lieutenant-General on the coronation of Alfonso XII as king. He was then elected to the Senate of Spain as a senator for life. He was the Minister of War under Antonio Cánovas del Castillo
Antonio Cánovas del Castillo
Antonio Cánovas del Castillo was a Spanish politician and historian known principally for his role in supporting the restoration of the Bourbon monarchy to the Spanish throne and for his death at the hands of an anarchist assassin, Michele Angiolillo.-Early career:Born in Málaga as the son of...
, whose assassination on August 8, 1897 effectively made him the interim Prime Minister
Prime minister
A prime minister is the most senior minister of cabinet in the executive branch of government in a parliamentary system. In many systems, the prime minister selects and may dismiss other members of the cabinet, and allocates posts to members within the government. In most systems, the prime...
of Spain until October 4 of that same year.
He went on to become Prime Minister of Spain twice again in two more separate incidents.
Retirement
On his retirement at the age of 72, he was given the Toison de Oro, or Golden FleeceGolden Fleece
In Greek mythology, the Golden Fleece is the fleece of the gold-haired winged ram, which can be procured in Colchis. It figures in the tale of Jason and his band of Argonauts, who set out on a quest by order of King Pelias for the fleece in order to place Jason rightfully on the throne of Iolcus...
, the highest possible distinction given to a person in Spain, for his tirelessly defending the Spanish Monarchy
Spanish monarchy
The Monarchy of Spain, constitutionally referred to as The Crown and commonly referred to as the Spanish monarchy or Hispanic Monarchy, is a constitutional institution and an historic office of Spain...
and for keeping Spain in relative peace. Earlier, he received the Cross of San Fernando which already entitled him to a pension. Don Marcelo Azcárraga died in Cuba.
Ancestry
On his mother's side, Azcárraga descends from the Filipino mestizoFilipino mestizo
Filipino mestizo is a term used in the Philippines to describe people of mixed Filipino and foreign ancestry. The word mestizo is of Spanish origin, and was originally used in the Americas to only describe people of mixed European and Native American ancestry.- History :Spanish periodThe Spanish...
Lizarraga family, heirs of the fallen Conde de Lizarraga. His maternal uncles' families, collectively known as the "Palmero brothers" or "Hermanos Palmero" were active in Philippine politics before World War II. He was also an uncle to the self-styled Conde de Albay, also known as Senor Govantes.
Tribute
The major road stretching from the districts of TondoTondo, Manila
Tondo is a district of Manila, Philippines. The locale has existed prior to the arrival of the Spanish, referred to as "Tundun" in the Laguna Copperplate Inscription. One of the most densely populated areas of land in the world, Tondo is located in the northwest portion of the city and is primarily...
to San Miguel
San Miguel, Manila
San Miguel district is a primarily middle-class residential area of Manila. Malacañang Palace, the official residence of the President of Republic of the Philippines, is located in San Miguel district. Just outside Malacañang Palace's gates lies Mendiola Street, the avenue where most mass protest...
, both in the city of Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
was named after Azcárraga. However, it was changed after Filipino independence in 1945 to Claro M. Recto
Claro M. Recto
Claro Mayo Recto, Jr. , was a Filipino politician, jurist, poet and one of the foremost statesmen of his generation...
Avenue. Nevertheless, the street is still known as Calle Azcárraga in the transportation sector and among commuters.