Pedro Duro

Pedro Duro

Portrait by Juan de Barroeta
Born Pedro Duro Benito
1810
La Rioja
Died 1886
Principality of Asturias
Resting place La Felguera
Residence Madrid
La Felguera
Nationality Spain
Occupation Businessman
Spouse(s) Dolores Ortiz
Children Pilar Duro

Pedro Duro Benito (18101886) was an important Spanish businessman of the 19th century;[1] founder of the industrial group Duro Felguera and a pioneer of ironworking in Spain.

Biography

Duro was born in Brieva de Cameros, La Rioja,[2] and he died in the Principality of Asturias in 1886. He began construction on the Felguera Factory in 1857; a metallurgical factory that became the most important in Spain in the 19th century, and through the 20th century until the 1960s. It was the first major ironworks that was constructed in Spain. His descendants were created Marquesses of La Felguera by King Alfonso XIII. In addition, Duro was awarded the Order of Isabella the Catholic and the Légion d'honneur from the French government. He was buried in La Felguera, where the workers of his factory raised a big monument. He was also a pioneer in social measures for the workers. His work motivated, in addition, the industrial expansion in the north of Spain. Today the company that he created is called "Duro Felguera" and it has been traded on the Spanish stock exchange since 1902.[3]

Further reading

References

  1. Brief biography @ Asociación "Langreanos en el Mundo"
  2. Brief biography @ Valvanera.
  3. Duro Felguera website.
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