Melchor Liñán y Cisneros

Melchor Liñán y Cisneros (sometimes Melchor de Liñán y Cisneros) (19 December 1629, Madrid – 28 June 1708, Lima, Peru) was a Roman Catholic prelate who served as Archbishop of Lima (1677–1708), Archbishop of La Plata o Charcas (1672–1675), Bishop of Popayán (1667–1672), and Bishop of Santa Marta (1664–1668). He also served as Viceroy of Peru from 7 July 1678 to 20 November 1681.

Biography Melchor de Liñán y Cisneros was born in Madrid, Spain. On 26 January 1668 Pope Clement IX, appointed him Bishop of Popayán.

In 1671, he was sent as visitador (inspector) to Nuevo Reino de Granada in what is now Colombia because of the inaction of Diego de Villalba y Toledo, president of the Audiencia. He replaced Villabla in that position on 2 June 1671. At the same time he served as interim governor and captain general of Nuevo Reino de Granada. On 8 February 1672, Pope Clement X, appointed him Archbishop of La Plata o Charcas. On 14 June 1677 Pope Innocent XI appointed him Archbishop of Lima. On 7 July 1678 he was appointed viceroy of Peru serving until 20 November 1681. As viceroy, he improved the fortifications of the port of Callao to defend against attacks by Dutch filibusters. He repressed rebellions of the clergy, who were opposed to the nomination of prelates from Spain—the Franciscans in Cuzco and the Dominicans in Quito.

On the death of the Peruvian astronomer Doctor Francisco Ruiz Lozano, Viceroy Liñán y Cisneros (with the approval of the Crown) gave mathematics a permanent position in the University of San Marcos. Mathematics was attached to the chair of cosmography. Doctor Juan Ramón Koening, a Belgian by birth, was named to the chair.

As a reward for his services, the Spanish Crown granted Liñán y Cisneros the title of conde de la Puebla de los Valles. He wrote Ofensa y defensa de la libertad eclesiástica (Offense and Defence of Ecclesiastical Liberty). He died in Lima in 1708.

Episcopal succession While bishop, he was the principal consecrator of: