José María Calatrava y Peinado

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Calatrava and the second or maternal family name is Peinado.

José María Calatrava y Peinado (26 February 1781 in Mérida, Spain – 16 January 1846 in Madrid) was a Spanish politician who served as the Prime Minister of Spain and Minister of State between 1836 and 1837.

The Most Excellent José María Calatrava
Portrait by Antonio Gisbert, 1872
Prime Minister of Spain
In office 14 August 1836 – 18 August 1837
Monarch	Isabella II
Preceded by	Francisco Javier de Istúriz
Succeeded by	The Count of Luchana
Personal details
Born	26 February 1781 Mérida, Spain
Died	16 January 1846 (aged 65) Madrid, Spain
Resting place	Pantheon of Illustrious Men
Political party	Partido Progresista

The main action of Calatrava's administration was proclaiming the constitution of 1837 which granted freedom of religion in Spain while still requiring the state to support the Roman Catholic Church. This was too drastic a change for many in Spain and it caused the downfall of Calatrava's government.^[1]

He finished his career as President of the Supreme Court of Spain (1840–1843).

Personal life

Calatrava y Peinado was an active Freemason, at the “La Templanza” Masonic Lodge and operated under the name of "Brother Tiberio Graco."^[2] He was associated with the Grand Orient of the "Moderns" faction, based in Madrid.^[2]