Melchor Liñán y Cisneros

Who was Melchor Liñán y Cisneros?

Melchor Liñán y Cisneros was a Spanish prelate, colonial official, and viceroy Peru, from July 7, 1678 to November 20, 1681.

He studied theology in the University of Alcalá de Henares, where he took his doctorate. Thereafter he was chaplain in Buitrago. He was also calificador of the Holy Office of the Inquisition. He arrived in America in 1664, as bishop of Santa Marta. In 1666 he became bishop of Popoyán, and then archbishop of Charcas in 1667.

He was sent as visitador to Nuevo Reino de Granada in what is now Colombia in 1671 because of the inaction of Diego de Villalba y Toledo, president of the Audiencia there. He replaced Villabla in that position on June 2, 1671. At the same time he served as interim governor and captain general of Nuevo Reino de Granada.

He was archbishop of Lima in 1678 when he was appointed viceroy of Peru. As viceroy, he improved the fortifications of the port of Callao to defend against attacks by Dutch filibusters. He repressed rebellions of the clergy, who were opposed to the nomination of prelates from Spain — the Franciscans in Cuzco and the Dominicans in Quito.