Diego Portales and Palazuelos

Organizer of the Republic

1793-1837

He was a visionary politician educated from a young age in Latin, philosophy, oratory, law, theology, and fine arts.

He was a merchant but later began to engage in public affairs while in Peru. Coming from a family committed to public service, he became a collaborator of José Joaquín Prieto in 1820, advancing his political career that subsequently led to his appointment as Minister of the Interior and Foreign Affairs in 1830 during the administrations of José Tomás Ovalle and Fernando Errázuriz, and Minister of War and Navy during the same period. He resumed his role as Minister of the Interior and Foreign Affairs in 1831; and also resumed, concurrently and during the same period, as Minister of War and Navy. He was appointed Minister of War and Navy and Minister of the Interior and Foreign Affairs in 1835 until his death in 1837, during Joaquín Prieto’s government.

His vigorous political ideas inspired the Constitution of 1833, consolidating an orderly leadership and the prescription of caudillismo. He was relentless in eradicating various participants in uprisings, which led him to confront and exile liberal leaders or members of the army, subjecting the armed forces to the Constitution. He was the founder and reorganizer of the most relevant institutions of the State and public life in the educational, ecclesiastical, military, and civil spheres.

He was assassinated in Valparaíso on June 6, 1837, by discontented members of the Army.

SOURCE: National Congress Library of Chile.