Antonio de Cordova and Lasso de la Vega (Seville, * 1740, † 1811) Marine and Spanish scientist. Biography
He began his service in the Navy in the Mediterranean against the Berber pirates. He was later in Havana when the English site, where he was taken prisoner. During his captivity in London he maintained his scientific and research activity. Released, he rejoined the Navy in 1763. He was stationed in El Callao (Peru) between 1765 and 1772. As a lieutenant of the Naval (1774) he sailed in the squadron of the Marquis of Tilly to the River of the Silver.
Between 1785 and 1786 made a trip to recognize the Patagonia and the Strait of Magellan aboard the frigate Santa Maria de la Cabeza. In 1788-1789 he organized another expedition to perfect the previous one, with Fernando de Miera aboard the Santa Casilda and Santa Eulalia ships. In this expedition participated as lieutenants Cosme de Churruca and Ciriaco Ceballos Neto.
On September 20, 1791 was appointed new head of the Post Office in Montevideo, a position he held until March 1795.
Returned to Spain, he reached the rank of lieutenant general in 1802, but then retired to Seville for illness, where he died.
He described platinum as a new element.
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