Luque, Hernando De

Luque, Hernando De the first Spanish bishop of Peru, was born in Darien, Isthmus of Panama, towards the close of the 15th century. After teaching a short time, he became priest and vicar of Panama. In 1525, as appears from subsequent events, he represented the licentiate Caspar de Espinosa, principal alcalde in Darien, in that famous written and consecrated contract between himself, Pizarro, and Almagro, by which he was to furnish the money for the outfit and expenses of an expedition for the conquest of Peru, the success of which depended mainly upon his exertions. His services were rewarded by the king of Spain with the bishopric, and he was, besides, declared Protector of the Indians of Peru. He died suddenly in 1532. See Oviedo y Valdes, Historia general y natural de las Indias, etc. (edit. de M. Amador de los Rios); Herrera, Historia general de los Viajes en has India occidentales; Prescott, Hist. of Peru; Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, volume 32, s.v.