Manuel Silvela y García de Aragón (31 October 1781 – 9 May 1832) was a Spanish writer, lawyer and magistrate.

[1] He joined the Sociedad Económica de los Amigos del País and served as their secretary, contributing to improvements in the public schools, as well as agriculture and industry.

But, unable to join the local Bar Association, due to a restricted number of memberships, he moved to Madrid.

Nevertheless, he was accused of being "Afrancesado" (Frenchified) and, when the French Court evacuated Madrid in 1812, he took his family to Bordeaux, fearing for their safety, despite assurances from prominent people that everything would be all right.

During the Trienio Liberal, he was invited to return to Spain, but felt committed to his teaching and publishing enterprises in France, so he remained there.