Juan José Lerena y Barry
Born in Cádiz, he served as commander of the brigantine Nervión and royal commissary for the island of Fernando Po. In March 1843, he proclaimed Spanish sovereignty over Fernando Po
Juan José Lerena y Barry
Born in Cádiz, he served as commander of the brigantine Nervión and royal commissary for the island of Fernando Po. In March 1843, he proclaimed Spanish sovereignty over Fernando Po and replaced English toponyms with Spanish ones. He worked to establish Spanish control over other islands in the Gulf of Guinea, annexing Corisco after negotiating with Benga king Bonkoro I, and colonizing the foothold on the African continent that later became Spanish Guinea. He also took possession of Elobey Grande and Elobey Chico and the island of Annobon.
After a voyage filled with hardships, he returned to Spain and gave his report to his government. The Spanish government subsequently prepared a second, larger expedition to the Gulf of Guinea. Lerena was meant to head this expedition; however, he was frustrated in this ambition.
He died at Chiclana de la Frontera in 1863.
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