Felipe Benicio Alfau
Felipe Benicio Alfau | |
|---|---|
| Born | August 22, 1818 Santo Domingo, Dominican Republic |
| Died | October 4, 1878 (aged 60) Seville, Spain |
| Citizenship | Dominican and Spanish |
| Occupations | Politician, military leader |
| Years active | 1844–1878 |
| Movement | La Trinitaria |
| Spouse(s) | Maria Josefa Baralt Galván Maria Elena Lalaurie y Peraza
(m. 1873–1878) |
| Children | 5; including Felipe Alfau Mendoza |
| Parent(s) | Maria del Carmen Bustamente López and Julián Alfau Páez |
| Relatives | Antonio Abad Alfau (brother) José Antonio Páez (cousin) |
Felipe Benicio Alfau y Bustamante (August 22, 1818 – October 4, 1878), better known as Felipe Alfau, was a Dominican military leader, Freemason, Febrerista, politician, and diplomat. He co-founded the secret society La Trinitaria with Juan Pablo Duarte, adopting the pseudonym Simón. A trusted ally of Pedro Santana, he earned the nickname "El Temerario" (The Fearless) from his adversaries, the Baecistas.
Alfau rose to high ranks in the Dominican Army and served as a deputy in 1854, a senator from 1855 to 1857, and governor of Santo Domingo Province in 1847–48 and 1858. As the Dominican Republic's first ambassador to Spain, he negotiated a Spanish protectorate in 1859. After the annexation of the Dominican Republic to Spain in 1861, he was honored by Queen Isabella II with the Order of Isabella the Catholic, the title of gentleman of the chamber, and the rank of field marshal in the Spanish Army. Following the Dominican Restoration War, he settled in mainland Spain with his sons, including Felipe Alfau Mendoza, who became a general in 1908, and his brother, Antonio Abad Alfau. In Spain, he served as military governor of Madrid, La Coruña, Cádiz, and Seville, and was named an Honorary Academician of the Academy of Archaeology and Geography of Madrid. He died in Seville on October 4, 1878, while serving as military governor.