Much-loved citizen was born poor but went on to mastermind restoration of the island’s splendid capital Historian and de facto mayor has died aged 77 The old town of Havana has sheltered many famous faces over its 500 years, Alexander von Humboldt and Ernest Hemingway among them, but few more loved than Eusebio Leal Spengler, …

Prominent intellectual is credited with rejuvenating crumbling centre into tourist hub Eusebio Leal Spengler, the Cuban historian who oversaw the transformation of Old Havana from a crumbling quarter into an immaculately restored colonial tourist attraction, has died at the age 77. He had been suffering from cancer. Leal and his restoration efforts became so famous …