The first book of his Vidas de EspaÃ oles cÃ lebres , about the lives of Spanish heroes , helped to promote Quintana the post of secretary to the Cortes during the French invasion . The first volume of his Vidas de EspaÃ oles cÃ lebres , containing lives of Spanish patriots , stirred the public imagination and secured Quintana the post of secretary to the Cortes during the French invasion .