Narvaez

Narvaez, RAMON MARIA, general and statesman, was born at Loja, in Andalusia, 5th August 1800, and when very young served in the war of liberation against the French. In 1822, when a reactionary party took up arms to destroy the work of the revolution, Narvaez ranged himself on the side of the liberals. The invasion of Spain by a French army in 1823 forced him to retire from active life until the death of Ferdinand VII. in 1832. In 1834 he maintained a hot struggle against the Carlists of the Basque Provinces, and in 1836 completely routed the Carlist leader, Gomez, near Arcos. He now became immensely popular, and was regarded as the rival of Espartero. In 1838 he cleared the district of La Mancha of brigands, and was appointed in 1840 captain-general of Old Castile. He took part in the insurrection against Espartero that broke out at Seville in 1840, but, that having failed, he was compelled to flee to France, where he was shortly after joined by Queen Christina (see MARIA CHRISTINA), and commenced those plots against the government of Espartero which in 1843 effected its overthrow. In 1844 he was appointed president of council, and created Duke of Valencia. His ministry was thoroughly reactionary, but was overthrown in 1846. After a brief exile as special ambassador at the French court, he returned to power from 1847 to 1851, in 1856-57, and again in 1864 and in 1866; and, despite the efforts of O'Donnell and Prim, he retained power till his death, 23d April 1868.