LUQUE, Fernando de (loo'-kay), Spanish clergyman, born in Olvera, Andalusia, in 1484; died in Panama in 1531. He left San Lucar, Spain, 14 July, 1514, and arrived on 20 June in the colony of Tierra Firme, with the bishop of Santa Maria de la Antigua and the governor, Pedro Arias Davila. After the discovery of the Pacific and the removal of the capital to Panama, he was appointed canon professor of divinity of the cathedral in that city. When Pizarro and Almagro undertook the discovery of the large and fertile territories in South America, they associated themselves with Luque, who, as a person of great influence and ample means, was the best partner for the accomplishment of their enterprise. To win the good-will of the governor, Pedro Arias, Luque and his two companions lent him money for the expedition to conquer Nicaragua, and thus obtained permission for Pizarro to leave Panama for the exploration of Peru. On 10 March, 1526, Luque, Pizarro, and Ahnagro formed a contract of partnership. Luque advanced $20,000 in gold bars, and they agreed to take each one third of everything they could acquire, and also to enjoy equally all the honors that the sovereign might bestow upon them. Luque was the agent of the two adventurers and their adviser in the difficulties that arose from their undertaking. He counselled Pizarro to stay on the island of Gallo, when the latter was ordered to return to Panama. In the spring of 1528 he gave to Pizarro $1,500 in gold for a visit to Spain to obtain a royal charter. In 1529 Luque was appointed provisor and ecclesiastical governor of Darien, and after the interview between Pizarro and the queen he was nominated bishop of Tumbez, and appointed universal protector of the Peruvian Indians. On 6 August, 1531, Luque declared that the money he had advanced for the conquest of Peru belonged to Gaspar Espinosa (q. v.), and that the latter might claim his third. He died before his confirmation arrived from Rome.