Sebastián de la Cuadra, 1st Marquis of Villarías
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The Most Excellent The Marquess of Villarías KOS OSJ |
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| Prime Minister of Spain | |
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In office 26 November 1736 – 4 December 1746 |
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| Monarch |
Philip V Ferdinand VI |
| Preceded by | José Patiño |
| Succeeded by | José de Carvajal |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 19 January 1687 San Julián de Musques, Spain |
| Died | April 23, 1766 (aged 79) Madrid, Spain |
Sebastián de la Cuadra y Llarena, 1st Marquess of Villarías (19 January 1687 – 23 April 1766) was a Spanish statesman. He served as Chief Minister between 1736 and 1746 during the reign of Philip V of Spain.
He was the third son of Simón de la Quadra y Medrano, Síndico General of the Comarca of Las Encartaciones. In 1700, he moved to Madrid, where he was a protégé of future Secretary of State José de Grimaldo. He became in 1719 Mayor of Muskiz, a Basque town exploiting iron ores and local smelters, having two himself, one working as early as the 15th century. But he remained in Madrid and was represented in Muskiz by his brother Agustin. He became a Knight of the Military Order of Santiago in 1730 (sig. 2239) and Oficial Mayor to the Secretary of State in 1731.
In 1736 he became himself First Secretary of State, when José Patiño died. From 1741 he also controlled the Justice Department. For much of this late period in office, Spain was involved in the War of Jenkins' Ear with Britain and the War of the Austrian Succession in Italy. He was replaced by José de Carvajal y Lancáster in December 1746. For his service he was made Marqués de Villarías by King Philip V of Spain on 22 March 1739, an honour awarded sometimes either to outgoing First Ministers or during their tenure.
He was a co-founder of the Real Academia de Bellas Artes de San Fernando in 1744.
Sebastián de la Cuadra was of a quiet and discrete nature. He was very religious and never married. He had a large network to gather all necessary information to serve the King and even more the Queen.
The British Ambassador Benjamin Keene didn't hold him in high regards, and the Queen treated him as a servant.
He died without issue on 23 April 1766. The 2nd Marquess of Villarías was his brother, Agustín de la Cuadra y de Llarena, (5 November 1679 - married 17 December 1709 to Andresa Manuela de Mollinedo).
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