Francisco de Borja Álvarez de Toledo
16th Duque de Medina Sidonia
(1763–1821)

Biographical

16th Duque de Medina Sidonia, Grandee of Spain 1796–1821†
9th Duca di Fernandina, Grandee of Spain 1796–
9th Principe di Montalbano 1796–
'12th Principe de Paternò' 1796–1821† [claimant]
12th Duca di Montalto 1796–1821†
11th Duca di Bivona 1796–
12th Marqués de Villafranca del Bierzo, Grandee of Spain 1796–1821†
12th Marqués de los Vélez, Grandee of Spain 1796–1821†
15th Marqués de Molina 1796–
15th Marqués de Cazaza 1796–1821†
7th Marqués de Valverde 1796–1821†
7th Marqués de Villanueva de Valdueza 1796–1821†
20th Conte di Caltabelotta 1796–1821†
'16th Conte di Caltanissetta' [claimant] 1796–1821†
15th Conte di Caltavutro 1796–1821†
Conte di Sclafani 1796–1821†
9th Marqués de Martorell 1796–1821†
12th Conde de Peña Ramiro 1796–1821†
15th Conte di Collesano 1796–1821†
23rd Conde de Niebla 1796–
21st Conte di Centorví 1753–73†
18th Conte di Adernó 1796–97
21st Conde de Sanlúcar de Barrameda 1796–1821†
Barón de Castellví de Rosanes 1796–1821†
Knight Grand Cross of the Order of Charles III 1816 [Spain]
Knight of the Order of Charles III 1816 [Spain]
Lieutenant general 1816
Commander general of Murcia 1808
Field Marshal 1798
Brigadier 1795
First lieutenant 1792
Lieutenant colonel 1791
Equerry to the Queen
Gentleman of the Chamber
Second lieutenant 1785

Francisco had a distinguished military career, beginning as a cadet in the Regiment of Spanish Royal Guards in 1782 and eventually rose to the rank of field marshal. He gained recognition in 1791 during the defence of Orán, served in the Rosellón army during the war against France where he distinguished himself at the Battle of Masdeu and other key actions, and commanded the Princess Infantry Regiment. In the Peninsular War. He was appointed commander of Murcia in 1808 by popular uprising, confirmed by the Central Junta, and later served as a deputy to the Cádiz Cortes and a member of its War Commission. Francisco served Ferdinand VII, becoming his royal chamberlain in 1816. He lost Adernò in 1797 when it was returned to the Moncada family after a legal dispute.

Place of birth: Madrid
Place of baptism: Church of San Andrés, Madrid
Place of marriage: Church of Santos Justo y Pastor, de Madrid
Place of death: Madrid

Son of Antonio María Álvarez de Toledo and Maria Gonzaga, he married María Tomasa Palafox in 1798, and had issue:
• Francisco (see)
• Pedro (see)
• María Teresa (see)
• María del Rosario (see)
• José María (see)
• Ignacio (see)