José Rafael de Silva Fernández de Híjar, 12th Duke of Híjar

José Rafael de Silva Fernández de Híjar y Palafox, 12th Duke of Híjar (29 March 1776 – 16 September 1863), was a Spanish peer who was a director of the Prado Museum between 1826 and 1838, and Sumiller de Corps between 1824 and 1854.

Early life José Rafael was born in Madrid on 29 March 1776. He was the second son of Pedro de Alcántara Fernández de Híjar y Abarca de Bolea, 9th Duke of Híjar and Rafaela de Palafox y Croy d'Havré. He kept the museum's collection together in the uncertain times following the death of King Ferdinand VII of Spain.

Personal life In 1801, he married Juana Nepomucena Fernández de Córdoba Villarroel Spínola y la Cerda (1785–1813), 8th Countess of Salvatierra, and had three children:

Cayetano de Silva y Fernández de Córdoba, 13th Duke of Híjar (1805–1865), who married María de la Soledad Bernuy y Valda, a daughter of the Count of Montealegre. Andrés Avelino de Silva y Fernández de Córdoba, 13th Duke of Aliaga (1806–1885), who married Mary Caroline Campbell, a daughter of William Johnston Campbell and, in 1843. Mary was a granddaughter of Lt.-Gen. Colin Campbell and niece of Sir Guy Campbell, 1st Baronet. María Antonia de Silva y Fernández de Córdoba (b. 1808). As the 14th Duke died without issue, he was succeeded in the family titles by his first cousin, Alfonso de Silva y Campbell, who became the 15th Duke of Híjar. The 15th Dukes father, who was still living, had renounced his right to the titles in favor of his first-born son.