David Masnata de Quesada, Marquis of Santa Ana y Santa María, was born on September 11, 1926. He received a law degree from the University of Havana and practiced law in Cuba until 1961, when he moved to New York. His interest in genealogy and history developed during his early years. He was founder and first secretary of the Instituto Cubano de Genealogía y Heráldica and member of other genealogical societies. When he left for New York he left behind a large collection of Cuban books and research papers on Cuban and Spanish history, genealogy and heraldry. In 1967, Masnata received a law degree from New York University and taught at Columbia University from 1970 to 1971. He was licensed to practice law in Spain and became member of the Ilustre Colegio de Abogados de Madrid. In 1985, Masnata received the Prix de Liechtenstein for his work: La Casa Real de la Cerda. He died in New York in 1988.
From the description of David Masnata y de Quesada collection, 1893-1988. (University of Miami). WorldCat record id: 276988199
