José María Queipo de Llano, 7th Count of Toreno

Who was José María Queipo de Llano, 7th Count of Toreno?

Don José María Queipo de Llano y Ruiz de Saravia, 7th Count of Toreno, was a nineteenth-century Spanish politician and historian. In Spain he is simply known as Conde de Toreno.

Toreno was born at Oviedo on the November 25, 1786. His family was wealthy and belonged to the most ancient nobility of Asturias. His mother, Dorninga Ruiz de Saravia, had property in the province of Cuenca. The son received a better education in classics, mathematics and modern languages than was usual at that time. The young viscount of Matarrosa, the title he bore in his fathers lifetime, was introduced to the writings of Voltaire and Rousseau by the abbot of the Benedictine house of Montserrat in Madrid. He was present at Madrid when the city rose against the French occupation led by Marshal Murat on 2 May 1808, and took part in the struggle which was the beginning of the Peninsular War.

From Madrid he escaped to Asturias, and on May 30 he embarked in a Jersey privateer at Gijon, with other delegates, in order to ask for the help of England against the French. The deputation was enthusiastically received in London. By December 30 he was back in Asturias, his father having died in the interval.