Guanartemes, writers, artists, politicians and social figures help to make sense of Gran Canaria's role in the region's history.

Biographies linked with Gran Canaria show how wider Canarian processes take shape through concrete people: leaders, artists, religious figures, politicians, scientists or bearers of tradition.

Among its main reference points are Historic Las Palmas, Aboriginal landscape, Natural contrasts, which connect landscape, memory and everyday life. This section connects local memory with the project's general figures section.

Key points

Guanarteme, king of Galdar

The last guanarteme, converted to Christianity after the conquest, whose alliance with the Castilians proved decisive in ending indigenous resistance.

Benito Perez Galdos

The most universal writer born in the Canary Islands, a native of Las Palmas, whose work portrayed nineteenth-century Spanish society with unrivalled critical insight.

Leon y Castillo

An engineer and diplomat born in Telde, driving force behind the Puerto de la Luz and a key figure in the modernisation of Gran Canaria during the Restoration.

Fatima Mernissi

Although not Canarian, her thinking on women and Islam was widely discussed in the university lecture halls of Las Palmas, alongside local authors working in postcolonial studies.

Nestor de la Torre

A modernist painter born in Las Palmas, creator of the traditional costumes of Canarian folklore and a central figure in shaping the visual identity of Gran Canaria.

Figures linked with Gran Canaria

Bonanat Tarí
Religion

Bonanat Tarí

Franciscan bishop of Telde

1390

Meet figures
Jaume Segarra
History

Jaume Segarra

Mallorcan merchant and navigator

14th century

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Joan Doria
History

Joan Doria

Mallorcan merchant and navigator

14th century

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Jaime Olzina
Religion

Jaime Olzina

Last bishop of Telde

1411

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Pedro de Vera Mendoza
History

Pedro de Vera Mendoza

Governor and captain in the conquest of Gran Canaria

1430 - 1505

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Guanarteme Tenesor Semidán
History

Guanarteme Tenesor Semidán

Guanarteme of Gáldar

documented during the conquest of Gran Canaria

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Luis de la Cueva y Benavides
History

Luis de la Cueva y Benavides

First Captain General of the Canaries

1528 - 1598

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Bartolomé Cairasco de Figueroa
Literature

Bartolomé Cairasco de Figueroa

Canon and poet

1538 - 1610

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Próspero de Casola
Science

Próspero de Casola

Military engineer

1565 - 1647

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Juan de Miranda y Cejas
Art

Juan de Miranda y Cejas

Painter

1723 - 1805

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José Luján Pérez
Art

José Luján Pérez

Sculptor and architect

1756 - 1815

Meet figures
Domingo José Navarro y Pastrana
Science

Domingo José Navarro y Pastrana

Physician and writer

1803 - 1896

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Manuel Ponce de León y Falcón
Art

Manuel Ponce de León y Falcón

Painter and architectural designer

1812 - 1880

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RL
Culture

Rafael Lorenzo y García

Lawyer, teacher and essayist

1821

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Juan Francisco de Padilla y Padilla
History

Juan Francisco de Padilla y Padilla

Physician, librarian and researcher

1826 - 1891

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Agustín Millares Torres
History

Agustín Millares Torres

Historian, Musician

1826 - 1896

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Gregorio Chil y Naranjo
Science

Gregorio Chil y Naranjo

Physician, anthropologist and museologist

1831 - 1901

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Teófilo Martínez de Escobar y Luján
Culture

Teófilo Martínez de Escobar y Luján

Priest, philosopher and teacher

1833 - 1912

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Juan de León y Castillo
Science

Juan de León y Castillo

Engineer and public figure

1834 - 1912

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Amaranto Martínez de Escobar y Luján
Literature

Amaranto Martínez de Escobar y Luján

Lawyer, poet and journalist

1835 - 1912

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Camille Saint-Saëns
Music

Camille Saint-Saëns

Composer, pianist and organist

1835 - 1921

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DM
Culture

Diego Mesa de León

Educator and cultural administrator

1837 - 1915

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Nicolás Estévanez Murphy
Politics

Nicolás Estévanez Murphy

Republican politician

1838 - 1914

Meet figures
EJ
Politics

Eufemiano Jurado Domínguez

Republican politician, musician and journalist

1888

Meet figures

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