José de Grimaldo y Gutiérrez de Solórzano, 1st Marquess of Grimaldo (1660–1733) was a Spanish statesman.
The Marquess of Grimaldo | |
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First Secretary of State | |
In office 14 January 1714 – 30 November 1724 | |
Monarch | Philip V |
Preceded by | Manuel de Vadillo |
Succeeded by | Juan Bautista de Orendáin y Azpilicueta |
In office 4 September 1724 – 12 December 1725 | |
Monarch | Philip V |
Preceded by | Juan Bautista de Orendáin y Azpilicueta |
Succeeded by | Juan Guillermo Ripperdá |
In office 14 April 1726 – 1 October 1726 | |
Monarch | Philip V |
Preceded by | Juan Guillermo Ripperdá |
Succeeded by | Juan Bautista de Orendáin y Azpilicueta |
Secretary of State for War and Treasury | |
In office 11 July 1705 – 30 November 1714 | |
Preceded by | Jean Orry |
Monarch | Philip V |
Preceded by | Pedro Fernández del Campo y Salvatierra (as Secretary of the Universal Bureau) |
Succeeded by | Miguel Fernández Durán (War) Jean Orry (Treasury) |
Personal details | |
Born | José de Grimaldo y Gutiérrez de Solórzano |
Nationality | Spanish |
Early life
editGrimaldo was born in Madrid in 1660 to a wealthy family who had gained experience serving in the administration of the colonies of the Spanish Empire. In 1683 he was admitted into the Order of Santiago as a gesture to his parentage,[1] but while he began to be acknowledged as a rising politician he failed to gain any serious appointment in government until the 1690s when the old dynasty died out.
War of the Spanish Succession
editGrimaldo became a follower of the politician Jean Orry who had arrived in Madrid in 1695. Grimaldo found a position in the Ministry of War and Finance. He continued in this position throughout the War of the Spanish Succession.
Chief Minister
editFirst Spell
editGrimaldo became Secretary of State for the first time in 1714. It was a turbulent era for Spain, as they had been forced to accept the loss of huge amounts of territory (particularly to Austria in Italy, as well as losing Minorca and Gibraltar to Britain). Grimaldo helped to re-assert Spain, rebuilding its shattered army and navy.
Second Spell and Retirement
editWhen the King briefly stepped down in 1724, often attributed to a fit of madness or a desire to be considered a claimant to the French throne, Grimaldo left office with him. When the King returned after only a year Grimaldo came with him, but was now increasingly in bad health and he was forced to retire from government. In 1733 he was made a Marquess, and died the same year at the age of seventy three.
See also
editReferences
edit- ^ PAPE, Martínez Robles, 1987 p.200