Antonio Ponce de León y Spínola, 11th Duke of Arcos, GE (3 October 1726–13 December 1780) was a Spanish peer and army officer. The last male representative of the House of Ponce de León, he was known for his extensive wealth.[1] For a period of time, he was the sole largest employer in Western Europe, having over 3,000 servants working for him at one point.[2][3]
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In this Spanish name, the first or paternalsurname is Ponce de Leónand the second or maternal family name is Spínola.
After serving as an army officer in Italy, he returned to Spain in 1752 and was appointed supernumerary captain of the Spanish Royal Company of Corps Guards. In December 1763, all three of his older brothers had died in battle with no succession, and so Antonio became the 11th Duke of Arcos, the 18th Duke of Nájera, 14th Duke of Maqueda, 15th Marquess of Elche, 15th Marquess of Zahara, 11th Count of Casares and 13th Count of Bailén amongst other titles. The following year, Charles III awarded him the Order of the Golden Fleece. In 1772 he was appointed Captain General of the Royal Spanish Armies, despite continuing to command the Corps Guards.