JOVELLANOS, GASPAR MELCHIOR DE, one of the most distinguished Spaniards of modern times, whether as a patriot, statesman, or writer, was born in 1744 at Gijón, in Asturias. Though sprung from an ancient and noble family, he early resolved to win fame and wealth for himself. Selecting the law as his profession, he went through the usual courses of study at the universities of Oviedo, Avila, and Alcalá. A judicial appointment at Seville awaited him immediately on his leaving college; but so disinterested was his zeal for the public service that, though but a poor man, he could with difficulty be persuaded to accept the emoluments of his office. In 1778 his integrity and ability were rewarded with the chief judgeship of the King's Court at Madrid, where he gained the friendship of Campomanes, and the leading literati of Spain, and took a prominent part in most of the scientific societies. About this time he had made the acquaintance of the brilliant French adventurer Cabarrus; and when that friend afterwards fell a victim to court-intrigue, Jovellanos was for a time involved in his fall. Retiring to the place of his birth, he devoted himself to carrying out many useful schemes for developing the internal resources of the country. He founded the Asturian Institution for the purpose of improving the agriculture, working the mines, and effecting social and educational reform throughout that province. This institution continued his darling project up to the latest hours of his life. Summoned again in 1799 to take his part once more in public affairs, he repaired to the capital, where he was made home secretary-of-state under Manuel de Godoy, the famous Prince of Peace. The looseness of Godoy's private life, and the miserable character of his policy, disgusted Jovellanos, who used his influence to have his principal dismissed. Intrigue followed intrigue; plot was met by counter-plot; and the final result was that the home-secretary was banished to the island of Majorca, and there kept a close prisoner, first in a Carthusian convent, and afterwards in the castle of Belver. He beguiled the seven years of his exile in collecting materials for a history of the island; and, in the intervals of these studies, wrote many bold and vigorous addresses to the king on the wretched policy of his prime
Jovellanos, minister. The French invasion changed the aspect of affairs. Jovellanos was recalled; and when Joseph Bonaparte mounted the throne, he was offered the portfolio of the interior. Many liberal and well-informed men had recognised the French king; but Jovellanos, sternly keeping aloof, joined the patriotic party, became a member of the central junta, and contributed to re-organize the cortes. As soon as the parliament had been reconstituted, the supreme junta fell into suspicion and was dissolved. Jovellanos, who had been the guiding spirit of its councils, was involved in its fall. To expose the conduct of the cortes, and to defend the junta and himself, were the last labours on which he exercised his pen. So great were his popularity and influence that it became necessary for his enemies to get rid of him. On the 27th Nov. 1811, the dagger of the assassin deprived Spain of one of her best benefactors and most enlightened patriots.
Jovellanos' literary faculties were of a very high order, and were proved by numerous compositions both in prose and verse. His poetical attempts comprised the tragedy of El Pelayo (the valiant Goth who fought against the Moors for the freedom of Spain), a collection of miscellaneous pieces, and a translation of the first book of Milton's Paradise Lost. None of these, however, reflect any great credit on his name; and had his fame depended on any or all of them, he would have been long ago forgotten. It is especially as a political economist and legislator that Jovellanos will be remembered. A deep, sure thinker, he was, at the same time, a brilliant rhetorician; and, indeed, as a mere writer of Spanish prose, has no equal in modern times. His Elogios on the celebrated architect Ventura Rodriguez, and on the king, Charles III., with the vices inherent in that species of composition, combine a memorable depth of thought couched in language of extraordinary beauty. But the greatest of all his works is his Informe Sobre un Proyecto de Ley Agraria, a remarkable monument of political foresight and legislative sagacity. No one ever knew or explained better than Jovellanos did in this and some of his other works the causes of his country's downfall, or point out with greater clearness the true means of restoring it to its ancient greatness.