Pedro José Pidal, 1st Marquis of Pidal

Pedro José Pidal y Carniado, 1st Marquis of Pidal (25 November 1799 – 28 December 1865) was a Spanish lawyer, writer, politician (alcalde, Minister of State, Minister of Justice

Before becoming increasingly involved in politics, he briefly (c. 1841) held the Chair of History of Government and Legislation in Spain at the Ateneo de Madrid. —, implemented the first major overhaul of Spain's education system. Actually drawn up by his friend Antonio Gil y Zárate, and among the many aspects the plan introduced were modifications to the syllabus, with the subjects of Spanish literature introduced at secondary level and geography and Spanish history introduced for both secondary and university students.

The plan also created the first chair in International Law, a post first held, albeit briefly, by Lorenzo Arrazola y García, a former Minister of Justice, future Prime Minister of Spain and President of the Supreme Court.

Family

He married with Manuela Mon y Menéndez (1802-1889) and had 3 children : Luis Pidal y Mon (1842-1913), II marqués de Pidal, President of the Senate of Spain father of María de las Maravillas de Jesús (1891-1974) Alejandro Pidal y Mon (1846–1913) would also become a deputy (as well as Speaker of Congress) and academician (also being appointed director of the Real Academia Española). father of Pedro Pidal Bernaldo de Quirós (1870–1941), who would likewise enter politics, becoming both deputy and senador. Ramona Pidal y Mon (circa 1848-1896), married to Juan Menéndez Fernández and mother of Juan Menéndez Pidal (1858–1915), historian and poet, Luis Menéndez Pidal (1861-1932), painter, Ramón Menéndez Pidal (1869–1968), historian.