Espinosa, Diego De

Espinosa, Diego De a Spanish prelate and statesman, was born at Martininos de las Posadas (old Castile), in 1502. He studied civil and canonical law, which he taught when very young at Cuenca; then became auditor at Seville, and director of the royal council of Navarre. "Philip II appointed him some time afterwards grand inquisitor of Spain, superintendent of the negotiations and affairs of Italy, and finally bishop of Siguenza. In 1568 Espinosa received the cardinal's hat. In the exercise of his high functions he was remarkable for his equal severity against iniquitous judges and heretics. He died September 5, 1572. See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.