Federico Errázuriz Zañartu

Federico Errázuriz Zañartu
8th President of Chile
In office
September 18, 1871 – September 18, 1876
Preceded by José Joaquín Pérez
Succeeded by Aníbal Pinto
Personal details
Born April 25, 1825(1825-04-25)
Santiago, Chile
Died July 20, 1877(1877-07-20) (aged 52)
Santiago, Chile
Political party Liberal
Spouse(s) Eulogia Echaurren
Signature

Federico Marcos del Rosario Errázuriz Zañartu (April 25, 1825 – July 20, 1877) was a Chilean political figure. He served as the president of Chile between 1871 and 1876.

Contents

Biography

He was born in Santiago in 1825, of Basque descent.[1] He studied law in the University of Chile.

He was made a deputy in parliament at an early age, and took some part in the parliamentary debates. In 1860 he was made chief of the province of Santiago, and introduced many reforms. In 1862, during Pérez's administration, he became secretary of justice and of public instruction; and in 1865, during the Chincha Islands War with Spain, he was secretary of war and the navy.

In 1871 Errázuriz became president of the republic of Chile, and introduced liberal reforms of great importance to the country, tending toward the secularization of public instruction and freedom of worship. He amended the constitution of 1833 by means of a law which was very much discussed in congress, abolished ecclesiastical privileges, and built several railways in the northern and southern parts of the country. He also organized several exhibitions of industry and art, the most important being the Exposición Universal of 1875, held in a magnificent palace built in the Quinta Normal de Agricultura expressly for that purpose. Errázuriz improved the navy by adding to it the two steel men-of-war “Cochrane” and “Blanco Encalada.” He also improved the condition of the army, and contributed greatly to the material progress and welfare of his country.

He died in Santiago soon after retiring from office.

See also

References

External links

Political offices
Preceded by
José Manuel Pinto
Minister of War and Navy
1866 - 1868
Succeeded by
Francisco Echaurren
Preceded by
José Joaquín Pérez
President of Chile
1871-1876
Succeeded by
Aníbal Pinto