Antonio Gutiérrez de Otero y Santayana

Who was Antonio Gutiérrez de Otero y Santayana?

Antonio Gutiérrez de Otero y Santayana was a Spanish Lieutenant General best known for repelling Admiral Nelson's attack on Santa Cruz de Tenerife in 1797. He was born in Aranda de Duero, in Old Castile. His father was in the military, and Gutiérrez followed his father's footsteps by enlisting as a cadet in the Spanish army at the age of seven.

He participated in Spanish military campaigns in Italy, the Falklands, Algiers, and in the blockade of Gibraltar under General Martín Alvarez. Gutiérrez also served as Commander of the island of Minorca.

He was named Commander-General of the Canary Islands in 1791, and assumed this position on January 31, 1791; his predecessor in the position had been the Marquis of Branciforte.

During the Battle of Santa Cruz de Tenerife, Gutiérrez was suffering from an attack of asthma, but he managed to defeat British forces under Horatio Nelson. Gutiérrez allowed the British to leave with their arms and war honors.

As a result of this victory, Gutiérrez was granted the Encomienda of Esparragal in the Order of Alcántara by Charles IV of Spain.

Gutiérrez's health continued to suffer and he was afflicted by an attack of paralysis on April 22, 1799. He died on May 14 of that year at Santa Cruz de Tenerife, and was buried in the chapel of Saint James the Great in the parish of La Concepción de Santa Cruz de Santiago de Tenerife.