Francisco Palóu
Francesc Palou (in
Catalan) or
Francisco Palóu (1723–1789) was a
Spanish Franciscan missionary, administrator and historian on the
Baja California Peninsula and in
Alta California. Palóu made significant contributions to the Alta California and Baja California mission systems. Along with his mentor,
Junípero Serra, Palóu worked to build numerous missions throughout Alta and Baja California, many structures of which still stand today. A member of the
Franciscan Order, Palóu became "Presidente" of the
missions in Baja California, and later of
missions of Alta California. Palóu's work in the Spanish mission system spans from his early twenties to his death at the age of 66.
According to biographer
Herbert E. Bolton, "Fray Palóu was a diligent student, devout Christian, loyal disciple, tireless traveler, zealous missionary, firm defender of the faith, resourceful pioneer, successful mission builder, able administrator, and fair minded historian of
California". Palóu is particularly noted for his pious biography of Serra and for his multi-volume early history of
the Californias.
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