Castaños was born at Madrid.[citation needed] Castaños is remembered for his victory over the French under Dupont, whom he surrounded and compelled to surrender at the decisive Battle of Bailen in 1808; after this he served under Wellington in several engagements, and was commander of the Spanish army, ready, if required, to invade France in 1815. Recent evidence suggests Castaños may have played a crucial role in the Allied army's success at the Battle of Albuera. Castaños died at Madrid in 1852.[citation needed]