Miguel de Benavides

Miguel de Benavides y Añoza, O.P. ( – July 26, 1605) was a Spanish Catholic prelate and sinologist who served as the third Archbishop of Manila. He previously served as the first Bishop of Nueva Segovia and was the founder of the University of Santo Tomas in Manila.

Biography Miguel de Benavides was born in 1552, to a noble family in Carrión de los Condes, Spain. He entered the Dominican Order in San Pablo de la Moraleja, Valladolid, and later rendered service in Colegio de San Gregorio. Along with Juan Cobo, he authored the Doctrina Christiana in Chinese, one of the earliest books printed in the Philippines. He arrived in Nueva Segovia in 1599 but was, after three years, appointed as the Archbishop of Manila on October 7, 1602. His installation in Manila was financed by King Philip III himself, for Benavides was extremely poor. On September 9, 1603, he directed the Franciscans to oversee the Japanese staying in the Philippines. In the same year, he warned the government about the nascent revolt of the Chinese population although he was also criticized for inciting it with his sermons.

Death He died on July 26, 1605, in Manila.

Benavides's library and personal property worth ₱1,500 were donated for the establishment of an institution of higher learning, now known as the University of Santo Tomas, which was formally founded on April 28, 1611, nearly six years after his death.