José de Grimaldo

José de Grimaldo y Gutiérrez de Solórzano, 1st Marquess of Grimaldo (1660–1733) was a Spanish statesman.

The Most Excellent The Marquess of Grimaldo
Secretary of the Universal Bureau
In office 30 November 1714 – 14 January 1724
Monarch	Philip V
Preceded by	Manuel de Vadillo
Succeeded by	Juan Bautista de Orendáin y Azpilicueta
In office 4 September 1724 – 12 December 1725
Monarch	Philip V
Preceded by	Juan Bautista de Orendáin y Azpilicueta
Succeeded by	Juan Guillermo Ripperdá
In office 14 April – 1 October 1726
Monarch	Philip V
Preceded by	Juan Guillermo Ripperdá
Succeeded by	Juan Bautista de Orendáin y Azpilicueta
Secretary of State for War and Treasury
In office 11 July 1705 – 30 November 1714
Monarch	Philip V
Secretary of the Universal Bureau	Marquess of Mejorada Manuel Vadillo y Velasco
Preceded by	Position created
Succeeded by	Miguel Fernández Durán (War) Jean Orry (Treasury) Bernardo Tinajero de la Escalera (Navy and Indies)
Personal details
Born	José de Grimaldo y Gutiérrez de Solórzano
Nationality	Spanish

Early life

Grimaldo was born in Madrid in 1660 to a wealthy family who had gained experience serving in the administration of the colonies of the Spanish Empire. In 1683 he was admitted into the Order of Santiago as a gesture to his parentage, but while he began to be acknowledged as a rising politician he failed to gain any serious appointment in government until the 1690s when the old dynasty died out.

War of the Spanish Succession

Grimaldo became a follower of the politician Jean Orry who had arrived in Madrid in 1695. Grimaldo found a position in the Ministry of War and Finance. He continued in this position throughout the War of the Spanish Succession.

Chief Minister

First Spell

Main article: First Grimaldo Ministry

Grimaldo became Secretary of State for the first time in 1714. It was a turbulent era for Spain, as they had been forced to accept the loss of huge amounts of territory (particularly to Austria in Italy, as well as losing Minorca and Gibraltar to Britain). Grimaldo helped to re-assert Spain, rebuilding its shattered army and navy.

Second Spell and Retirement

When the King briefly stepped down in 1724, often attributed to a fit of madness or a desire to be considered a claimant to the French throne, Grimaldo left office with him. When the King returned after only a year Grimaldo came with him, but was now increasingly in bad health and he was forced to retire from government. In 1733 he was made a Marquess, and died the same year at the age of seventy three.

See also

• List of prime ministers of Spain