Database: Laureano de Torres y Ayala

Date of Birth: 1645
Profession: Soldier, Governor, Templar Grand Master

Born in Havana, Cuba, but raised in Madrid, Spain, Laureano was of noble stock, the son of Tomas Torres y Ayala and Elvira de Quadros Castellanos. He joined the Spanish army in his late teens, and was later appointed as the governor of Spain’s territories in Florida, a post he held from 1693 to 1699. He then returned to Europe to participate in the Spanish war of Succession.

In 1708 he was appointed as the governor of Cuba, a post he held for three years until he was accused of and arrested for corruption. He was acquitted of these charges, however, and managed to win a re-election bid in 1713.

During his time in Cuba, he made many lasting improvements to the city, fortifying the island’s defenses and kick-started the production of tobacco there. He remained Governor until 1716, after which point he retired and devoted his life to charitable functions, such as building hospitals.

Later, it was revealed that Torres was the Grand Master of the Templar Order in the Caribbean.