José Rafael Balmaceda
 | This section relies largely or entirely on a single source. (October 2009) |
José Rafael Balmaceda | |
|---|---|
Santiago, Chile |
José Rafael del Carmen Balmaceda Fernández (August 23, 1850 – August 7, 1911) was a
Basque descent.[1]
Early life
He was born in
Instituto Nacional and then attended the University of Louvain, where he graduated with a doctorate in Political Science. Early in his life he dedicated most of his time to his Hacienda
San José in Puente Alto.
Political career
José Rafael Balmaceda started his political career by joining the
1891 Chilean Civil War that deposed his brother, President José Manuel Balmaceda, his house was looted, and he was exiled together with his family. In Buenos Aires, Argentina he published "The revolution and condemnation of the Vicuña ministry", under the pseudonym
"Nemo", in which he defended his brother's policies and attacked the revolutionary party. He also published "History Pages" and "Death of Balmaceda".
After being allowed to return to Chile, he concentrated his efforts on the reconstruction of the political base that had been defeated in the war and became the force behind the
Minister of the Interior
from March 18, 1905 to August 1, 1905.
In 1906, his son
Ernesto was murdered in Belgium
, prompting a celebrated case that came to define diplomatic privileges and immunities for the retinue and families of diplomatic staff.
President
Santiago
before the end of his term in 1911 at the age of 61.
Personal life
Balmaceda married Ana Bello Codesido, and together they had seven children.
See also
- 1891 Chilean Civil War
- Balmaceda family
References
- Official biography (in Spanish)