José Ruiz de Arana y Saavedra, Duke of Baena

Contents

José Ruiz de Arana y Saavedra (1826 – 1891), often referred to as the Duke of Baena after his marriage to María Rosalía Luisa Osorio de Moscoso y Carvajal, Duchess of Baena, was a Spanish aristocrat, military officer and politician. He held the noble title of "Count of Sevilla la Nueva".[1]

Biography

Born in Madrid on 28 August 1826.[2] One of the many lovers of Queen Isabella II from 1850 to 1856, he is the presumed biological father of Infanta Isabella (born 1851), known as La Chata – a reference to her snub or "button" nose.[3] He married María Rosalía Luisa Osorio de Moscoso y Carvajal, Duchess of Baena and daughter of Vicente Osorio de Moscoso, 13th Count of Altamira, on 26 February 1859.[2]

During the reign of Isabella II, he served as Senator for life as well as deputy.[4][5][6] He has been widely assumed to be the queen's lover aside from being her acknowledged favorite.[7]

He returned to the Senate as senator for life after the Bourbon Restoration,[4] as part of the dynastic Liberal Party. He also was Gentilhombre de cámara,[2] and served as Ambassador before the Holy See during a Sagasta government.[8][2]

He reached the military rank of Colonel.[8]

He died at his property in Sevilla la Nueva on 23 June 1891.[2]

References

  1. 1."José María Ruiz de Arana y Saavedra". Fundación Casa de Medinaceli.
  2. 2.[2.2][2.3][2.4][2.5]"El Duque de Baena". La Época. XLIII (13943). Madrid. 24 June 1891. ISSN 2254-559X.
  3. 3.Domingo, M.R. (5 March 2015). ""La Chata", la Infanta más querida de Madrid que dio nombre a la calle Princesa". ABC.
  4. 4.[4.2]"Ruiz de Arana y Saavedra, José, Vizconde de Mamblas y Duque de Baena". Senado de España.
  5. 5."Ruiz de Arana y Saavedra, José. Duque de Baena. Vizconde de Mamblas 24. Elecciones 22.11.1864". Congress of Deputies.
  6. 6."El duque de Baena". Blanco y Negro. 1 (9). Madrid: 130. 5 July 1891. ISSN 0006-4572.
  7. 7.De Polnay, P. (1962). Queen of Spain, Isabel II.. Storbritannien: Hollis & Carter. p. 146
  8. 8.[8.2]"Muerte del duque de Baena". El Heraldo de Madrid. II (236). Madrid. 24 June 1891. ISSN 2171-0090.