Francisco Collell

Francisco Collell was a Spanish military official and politician who served as interim governor of West Florida between October 1810 and February 1811. He was also sub-lieutenant and Commandant of Galvez Town, Louisiana.

Francisco Collell joined the Spanish Army in his youth, a place where he succeeded, obtaining the Commandant title.

In 1779, after being promoted to sub-lieutenant – while he retained the Commandant title – of Galvez Town, Louisiana, Collell laid out land lots and constructed houses in Galvez Town for the Spanish (Canarian) settlers. He led strikes of poor people and sent medicines to cure diseases of the Canarians in Galvez Town. In addition, he tried to solve hunger, floods, and malaria epidemics in the town.

Francisco Collell was appointed interim Governor of West Florida in October 1810 and he maintained the office until February 1811, when he was replaced by Francisco de San Maxent.

• Colyell, Louisiana, received its name from Francisco Collell. Probably was the mispronunciation of name which changed the spelling from "Collell" to "Colyell".