Graduated in Sciences from the University of Madrid in 1855, Jimenez held a position as an Assistant in the section of Natural History of The Faculty of Philosophy and in the Museum of Natural Sciences. He specialized in the study of zoology, in particular amphibians and comparative anatomy of animals.

In 1862, he joined the research group embarked on the Scientific Committee of the Pacific Sea. This scientific and military project intended to explore the west coast of America. As a consequence of the disagreements between naval officers and researchers during the journey,   the investigators went ashore in Ecuador and descended the Amazon River by their own.  After innumerable difficulties they got to the mouth of the river and return to Spain in December of1865.

Jimenez rejoined the Faculty of Science and the Museum of Natural Sciences and devoted himself to studying specimens collected during his American expedition. In addition, he was actively engaged in the foundation of the Spanish Society of Natural History in 1871, institution who published much of their scientific work.

After his American experience, he became interested in the study of geography and American history. He contributed to the founding of the Geographical Society of Madrid in 1876. Jimenez joined the Academy of History in 1883, participating in the recovery and publication of the works of prominent Americanists of the sixteenth and seventeenth centuries.

Despite his outstanding work as a zoologist, he would not submit his dissertation and earn his doctorate until 1898. Unfortunately, Dr. Jimenez died shortly after he held the chair of comparative anatomy, leaving several pending projects of scientific and historical character.

Marcos Jiménez de la Espada's writings in the UCM Library

Marcos Jiménez de la Espada's writings in the UCM Library

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