Royal University of San Felipe
| Real Universidad de San Felipe | |
Seal of the University
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| Motto | Nox fugit historiæ lumen dum fulget chilensibus |
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Motto in English
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"Night flees, while the light of history shines for Chile" |
| Active | 1747–1843 |
| Location | Santiago, Chile |
| Predecessor of the University of Chile | |
The Royal University of San Felipe (Spanish: Real Universidad de San Felipe) was the first university in Chile. It was created by King Philip V in 1738, in territory which was then part of the Spanish Empire. It was officially founded in Santiago in 1747 and began teaching activities in 1758. It is the immediate predecessor of the University of Chile (1843).
In the early 17th century the bishop of Santiago, Fray Juan Pérez de Espinosa, wrote to the King of Spain requesting a university for his city. He emphasized the benefits to the provinces of Buenos Aires, Tucumán, and Paraguay, and the fact that Chileans who were traveling to study at the University of San Marcos in Lima, Peru, rarely returned to Chile.
In a letter dated 2 December 1713 the mayor of Santiago, Francisco Ruiz de Berecedo, formally proposed to the cabildo (colonial council) to bring up to the King the request to authorize the creation of a university in Chile.
In 1724 the cabildo of Santiago named Manuel Antonio Valcarce Velasco as deputy procurator of the city before the Court of Spain, to carry out the decree.
In 1727 the cabildo appointed Tomás de Azúa as deputy procurator before the Court of Spain, to obtain the titles of cities (San Fernando, Linares), the creation of a mint, and the creation of the University. He achieved the latter by proposing to the King that it be financed by voluntary expenditures of the residents of Santiago.
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