Francisco Javier Castaños, 1st Duke of Bailén

Francisco Javier Castaño ( born April 22, 1756 in Madrid, † September 24, 1852 in Madrid) was Duke of Baylen, Count of Castaño y Aragones and Spanish general.

He came from a distinguished family in the Bay of Biscay, accompanied his brother, General Count O'Reilly, after Germany and trained military in Prussia. After Spain returned and promoted to colonel, he distinguished himself in 1794 in the army of Navarre, in 1796 major-general and lieutenant general in 1798, but had, followed by Manuel de Godoy hate to go into exile.

Appointed in 1802 as commander of Navarre, in 1808 he received the command of the camp standing in front of Gibraltar Division and forced as commander of the Army of Andalusia the French general Dupont de l' Etang in the Battle of Bailen to surrender (July 23, 1808). He insisted prior to the Ebro, but was defeated on 23 November by Lannes at Tudela and so maligned by the scheming selfish generals José de Palafox y Melci and Montijo at the central junta that he was deposed and for several years was out of service. It was not until 1811 he was placed at the head of the 4th Spanish army corps under Wellington's command and contributed to the victory of Vittoria significantly.

But the reign summoned him to Madrid in the State under Ferdinand VII he was captain general of Catalonia and led in 1815 to the command of the army to engage in particular France. 1816 put Castaño all his points down. After he had cleansed himself from the suspicion of constitutional disposition, he was appointed again in 1825 the State Council, later elevated to the presidency of the Council of Castile, and in 1833 the grandees of Spain with the title " Duke of Baylen ." After the death of Ferdinand VII with the court disintegrate because of the succession to the throne, he lived in retirement until he was chosen by Esparteros fall 1843 Arguelles ' place as guardian of the queen. 1845 appointed Senator, he practiced his advanced age because of any political influence more and died September 24, 1852 in Madrid.