Pedro Sainz Rodríguez

Pedro Sainz Carlos Rodríguez (1897 in Madrid – 1986) was a Spanish writer, philologist, publisher and politician, an adviser to Infante Juan, Count of Barcelona and one of the main architects of the reign of Juan Carlos I of Spain and the Spanish transition to democracy. Within the wide coalition of right-wing opinion that was the early movement behind Francisco Franco he was the leading figure of the monarchist wing. In terms of character Sainz Rodríguez was noted for his quick wit, whilst physically he was known for his obesity.

Sainz Rodríguez first came to prominence as a philology academic and a disciple of Marcelino Menéndez y Pelayo. He became noted as an expert in 'Golden Age' mysticism and a defender of traditional Catholicism. He argued that Spain had become decadent because of an invasion of liberalism into the ruling classes from the 18th Century onwards and called for a return to the ideals of Catholicism and the heroic spirit of Don Quixote. His 1925 work, La evolución de las ideas sobre la decadencia española y otros estudios de crítica literaria, became one of the most widely read books on the theme of Spanish decadence, a popular theme for rightist authors at the time.

As a friend of Franco he was instrumental in convincing him to join in the coup attempt of José Sanjurjo, Emilio Mola and other right-wing generals that led to the Spanish Civil War. A close associate of Mola, he shared his ally's belief that Franco's tenure at the head of the nationalists would be a short one designed only to take advantage of Franco's personal popularity.

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