José Villaamil y Castro

Category: Archivist, librarian, antique dealer and historian
Birth Date: 12th November 1838 (†† 27th September 1910)
Birth Place: Madrid
 Curriculum

Although he was born in Madrid, his family was from Galicia and he spent his childhood and part of his youth in Mondoñedo (Lugo). He studied at the Diplomatic School in Madrid, where he became an archivist, librarian and antique dealer. He also studied Law at the Central University and took a doctor's degree. Before entering the Corps of Archivists, he worked as a magistrate and trustee in the City Council of Mondoñedo. He also worked in the libraries of the Faculties of Pharmacy and Law at the Central University. He was a foundation member and secretary of the Geographical Society of Madrid, Professor of Spanish History at the Governess School, Professor of General Palaeography and Critics in the academic year 1878-79 at the Diplomatic School and gave two courses in the Athenaeum in Madrid (Arqueología Sagrada and Los foros en Galicia durante la Edad Media).

 Work & Activities

He wrote many monographs and articles on historical and archaeological themes both in newspapers and magazines of that time: 'Museo Español de Antigüedades', 'El Arte en España', 'Semanario Pintoresco Español', 'La Ilustración Gallega y Asturiana', etc. These are some of his most important works:Discurso acerca de la situación del monte Medulio y sus incidencias históricas; Pinturas murales de la catedral de Mondoñedo; La catedral de Mondoñedo. Su historia y descripción, sus pinturas, murales, accesorios, mobiliario, bronces y orfebrería, vestiduras y ropas sagradas; Crónica de la provincia de Lugo; Descripción histórico-artístico-arqueológica de la catedral de Santiago; San Froilán y su siglo en sus mutuas relaciones; La industria primitiva de Galicia; Los códigos de las Iglesias de Galicia en la Edad Media. Estudio histórico-bibliográfico; Colonias griegas en Galicia: su historia y su influjo bajo los aspectos económico y social; La policía balnearia según nuestros fueros municipales. Estudio histórico; Origen de los foros en Galicia; La abolición de los foros; Lugo. La muralla y otras antigüedades; La Arqueología Sagrada en la Exposición de Lugo; La Catedral de Santiago. Breve descripción histórica, con la planta y un diseño iconográfico; etc.

 Other Interesting Aspects

He was a member of the Galician Academy of History, San Fernando Academy of Fine Arts, Academy of Sciences (Lisbon), the International School of Sciences and Art (Milan), honorary member of the Economical Society 'Amigos del País de Santiago' and chronicler of the province of Lugo since 1875. He was awarded the gold medal of the European Historical Exhibition at the Fourth Centenary of the Discovery of America and the Cross of Isabel, the Catholic Queen.