MENDOZA, ANTONIO DE (1490-1552), first Spanish viceroy of New Spain (Mexico), was born probably in 149o, at Alcala la Real, near Granada, the second son of Ingo Lopez de Mendoza, captain-general of the Christian forces investing Granada. At the age of 45, after military and administrative experience in the wars against the Moors, and as royal chamber lain and ambassador to Hungary, Antonio de Mendoza was ap pointed "viceroy, governor and president of the audiencia" of New Spain on April 17, 1535, and arrived in Mexico in October of the same year. His administration was marked by broad understanding of the problems at hand, by energy in attacking them and by moderation and integrity. Though obstructed by intrigue at court, opposition among his subordinates, uprisings of the partly subjected Indians and the negro slaves, Mendoza laid the foundation of colonial structure and viceregal procedure in Mexico which endured until the 19th century. He succeeded in instituting a thoroughly sound political and financial policy in the country; established means of defence, as well as public works and roads; suppressed a religious rebellion of the natives, north of Guadalajara, known as the Mixton War, 1541-42; he inspired discovery and exploration in New Mexico (154o-42, see CORO NADO), California (1540-43) and the far distant Philippine Islands (1542-44) ; he supported the church in all their endeavours to convert, to educate and to protect the native Indians; he stimu lated agriculture, mining and industries of various kinds; and introduced printing (1536). In 1551, having firmly impressed the
royal authority upon New Spain and made it the best-organized of Spain's new-world colonies, Mendoza was promoted to the viceroyalty of Peru. He arrived there in Sept. 1551, but, health failing, he died in Lima on July 21, 1552. He was the greatest of all the Spanish viceroys in the New World.