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Fonseca, Juan Rodriguez de

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Fonseca, Aaron and Isaac Diaz

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a Spanish prelate, was born at Toro in 1451. He became successively dean of Seville, bishop of Badajoz, of Cordova, of Valencia and Burgos, and archbishop of Rosana. He accomplished several diplomatic missions. While dean of Seville he was charged with the ordering of the armament destined for the discovery of the New World. Being consulted before on the project of Christopher Columbus, he treated the great navigator as a visionary. He never forgave him for having succeeded, and let pass no occasion for doing him harm, especially after the death of Isabella, when Fonseca, being charged with the management of affairs regarding the New World, pursued with all his hatred the family of Columbus. He was less hostile to Fernando Cortez and to La Casas, who challenged and obtained, in 1520, the dissolution of the council of which this prelate was president. Being a hard- man, fanatic and passionate, Fonseca became a great friend of the inquisitor Torquemada. He died at Burgos, March 4, 1524. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.