JOVELLA'NOS, GASPAR MELCHIOR DE, 1744-1811; b. Gijon, Asturia, of an ancient and noble Spanish family; studied at the universities of Oviedo, Avila, and Alcala; was appointed immediately on leaving college, in 1760, judge of the criminal court of Seville; was made in 1778 chief judge of the king's court at Madrid. Here he became acquainted with Campomanes and other prominent literati of Spain, and was a member of several scientific societies. He formed the acquaintance also of Cabanus, a French adventurer, who, through court intrigue, was thrown into prison; and Jovellanos was banished under the pretext of exploring the natural resources of the Asturias. He improved his retirement in forming plans for developing the internal resources of the country, and founded the Institute Asturiano for improving agriculture, working the mines, and promoting social and educational reform in Asturia. To this he devoted a large part of his official income. Cabanus being restored to the favor of Godoy, the prime minister, Jovellanos was recalled and made home-secretary of state under Godoy, who, however, soon again expelled him. Returning to Gijon he gave himself to the interests of the Institute AsttOiano. But in about two and a half years he was again arrested, and sent, in 1801, a prigoner to the island of Majorca, where he was kept closely for seven years, first in a Carthusian convent, afterwards in the castle of Belver.
He spent his time here in study, commenced a Flora Belverica, and collected materials for a history of the island. On the French invasion lie was recalled, and when Joseph Bonaparte became king he was offered the portfolio of the interior. Declining it be joined the patriotic party, was chosen a member of the central junta, and helped to reorganize the tortes. On the dissolution of the junta Jovellanos retired to Gijou, on the occupation of the town by the French, he escaped to Vega. Feared and bated by his enemies on account of his great influence, he perished by assassination. Jovellanos was the authok of numerous compositions in prose and verse. Of the latter the most prominent are the tragedy of El Pelago; Pau y Toros; the comedy of El Delin -cuente homado; a translation of the first book of Paradise Lost; and a collection of mis cellaneous pieces. But lie was distinguished chiefly as a political economist and legis lator. He was a deep thinker and a brilliant rhetorician. As a writer of Spanish prose it is said that he has no equal in modern times, His Elogios on the eminent archi tect Ventura Rodrigues, and on the king Charles III., are beautiful compositions, but his greatest work, showing his political foresight and legislative sagacity, was his Informe Sobre un Project° de Ley Agraria.