Narcís Duran (in Catalan), commonly known as Narciso Durán, OFM (December 16, 1776 in Empúries, Catalonia, Spain – June 4, 1846 in Santa Barbara, Alta California, Mexico) was a Franciscan friar and missionary.
He arrived in California in 1806 after studying briefly at the missionary College of San Fernando de Mexico.
[1] Under his leadership, Mission San Jose became one of the most prosperous of the Spanish missions in California, notwithstanding the devastation for the Chocheño-speaking Natives, and Northern Valley Yokuts who resided at San Jose.
His interests included music, which he transcribed himself and assembled a famous band of neophytes dressed in uniforms obtained from a French vessel.
[2] Father Duran served as the Father-President of the California missions three times, first from 1824–1828, again from 1831–1838 and finally from 1844–1846.