Alfredo de Zavala y Lafora
Alfredo de Zavala y Lafora | |
|---|---|
| Born | Template:Birth date Madrid, Spain |
| Died | March 7, 1995 (aged 101) Madrid, Spain |
| Occupation(s) | Jurist, banker, politician |
| Known for | Governor of the Bank of Spain, Minister of Finance of Spain |
Alfredo de Zavala y Lafora (25 May 1893 – 7 March 1995) was a prominent Spanish jurist who held the position of Governor of the Bank of Spain and briefly occupied the role of Minister of Finance during the era of the Second Spanish Republic.
Birth and education (1895–1931)
Zavala Lafora was born in Madrid to Alfredo Zavala y Camps, a government legal official and former interim Minister of Finance, and Isabel Lafora y Calatayud. Originating from a Basque lineage, he was raised in a disciplined and academically rigorous setting. His early education took place at Colegio de San Miguel and Padres Escolapios de Getafe. While concurrently employed at the Ministry of Finance, he completed his law degree at the Central University of Madrid ahead of schedule.
As one of the founding members of the Spanish Alpine Club, he also fulfilled military service obligations before securing a State Attorney appointment in 1916. By 1922, he advanced to Secretary of the board at Minas de Barruelo S.A., earning recognition as an accomplished lawyer. He married Milagros Richi and became affiliated with the Progressive Party in 1930.
Second Republic (1931–39)
With the establishment of the Second Spanish Republic, Zavala Lafora was designated Director General of Debt and Liabilities in April 1931 by Finance Minister Indalecio Prieto. Subsequently, he assumed the role of Director General of Property and Territorial Contribution. His responsibilities encompassed chairmanship over Mines of Almaden and Arrayanes as well as participation in Mercurio Europeo, which regulated mercury pricing.
Following the 1932 constitutional prohibition against members of religious orders teaching, Zavala Lafora, a devout Catholic, resigned from his post to resume duties as State Attorney. In November 1932, Prime Minister Manuel Azaña appointed him Permanent State Advisor for the Treasury, a position he held until February 1934 when he was named Governor of the Bank of Spain, succeeding Manuel Marraco Ramón. He served in this capacity from March 1934 until April 1935 and was subsequently appointed director at Compañía Arrendataria de Tabacos (later known as Tabacalera).
In April 1935, under Prime Minister Alejandro Lerroux, he was appointed Minister of Finance, a role he filled until May while Alejandro Fernández de Araoz acted as Bank Governor. After Lerroux’s government resigned, Zavala Lafora returned as Governor until February 1936. He resigned following the electoral victory of the Popular Front due to differing policy views and was replaced by Luis Nicolau d'Olwer. Returning to his role as State Attorney, he took leave in June 1936 to dedicate himself to private legal practice.
Later career (1939–95)
By 1940, Zavala Lafora had joined the boards of Tabacalera, Sociedad Española del Acumulador Tudor, and Banco Zaragozano. He eventually became chairman of the first two companies and retired at age eighty while maintaining robust health. Subsequently, he was honored with honorary presidency positions at both firms. On his centennial birthday, Prime Minister Felipe González bestowed upon him the Cross of Honour of the Order of St. Raymond of Peñafort. Alfredo Zavala Lafora died in Madrid on 7 March 1995.