Agustín Eyzaguirre | |
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2nd President of Chile | |
In office 9 September 1826 – 25 January 1827 |
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Preceded by | Manuel Blanco Encalada |
Succeeded by | Ramón Freire |
Personal details | |
Born | 3 May 1768 Santiago, Captaincy General of Chile, Spanish Empire |
Died | 19 July 1837 Santiago, Chile |
(aged 69)
Political party | Independent |
Spouse(s) | Teresa Larraín |
The Eyzaguirre Cabinet | ||
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Office | Name | Term |
President | Agustín Eyzaguirre | 11 September 1826–25 January 1827 |
Minister of Government & Foreign Affairs | Ventura Blanco Encalada | 8 March 1826–20 October 1826 |
Manuel José Gandarillas | 20 October 1826–25 January 1827 | |
Minister of War & Navy | Tomás Obejero | 21 June 1826–26 September 1826 |
General Luis de la Cruz | 26 September 1826–8 March 1827 | |
Minister of Finance | Agustín Vial Santelices | 12 September 1826–20 October 1826 |
Melchor de Santiago Concha | 20 October 1826–22 October 1826 |
Agustín Manuel de Eyzaguirre y Arechavala (May 3, 1768 – July 19, 1837) was a Chilean political figure. He served as Provisional President of Chile between 1826 and 1827.
He was born in Santiago, Chile, the son of the Basque Domingo Eyzaguirre Escutasolo and of María Rosa de Aretxabala y Alday. He studied law and theology at the Real Universidad de San Felipe, graduating in 1789. Originally he wanted to become a priest, but later changed his mind, and decided to take over the family hacienda in Calera de Tango. He married María Teresa de Larraín y Guzmán Peralta on September 13, 1808. During all the rest of his life he dedicated himself to the commerce and the management of his lands.
During the first days of the revolt of Chile against Spanish domination in 1810 he was a member of the municipal corporation of Santiago, and joined the revolutionary cause with enthusiasm. He began his political career in 1812, when he was elected deputy to the first congress. When, in 1813, General José Miguel Carrera marched to meet the invasion of Brigadier Antonio Pareja, the senate appointed a temporary government, and Eyzaguirre was elected a member of the Junta de Gobierno established in March, 1813, along with José Miguel Infante and José Ignacio Cienfuegos, and which lasted until March 7, 1814.
He took an active part in founding the national academy and many schools, and in promulgating the liberty of the press; and during this administration the first republican paper was printed at Santiago. After the Battle of Rancagua, in October 1814, he, with other patriots, was imprisoned on the Island of Juan Fernandez, and all his property was confiscated. He returned after the Battle of Chacabuco, (February 12, 1817) that restored the exiles to their families.
During the presidency of Bernardo O'Higgins, Eyzaguirre retired to private life and devoted himself to his commercial interests. During this time he organized the famous Calcutta Company, for direct trade between Valparaíso and the East Indies, and thus was the first that caused the Chilean flag to float in Asiatic seas.