Benjamín Vergara Echavarría
Benjamín Vergara Echavarría (1858 – 19 May 1906) was a Chilean politician and military officer who served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile and as Minister of War and Navy. He also held several administrative positions, including intendant of Tarapacá and Aconcagua.
Early life
Vergara was born in 1858, the son of José Eugenio Vergara Galeas and Tomasa Echavarría Martínez. He studied at the Instituto Nacional and later attended the Faculty of Law of the University of Chile. He received bachelor's degrees in humanities and law in April 1879.
He married Joaquina Pinto Concha, with whom he had children.
Political and military career
Vergara participated in the War of the Pacific and later fought in the Chilean Civil War of 1891. During the latter conflict, he commanded the Lanceros No. 5 squadron. He held the rank of lieutenant colonel when he retired from military service.
A member of the Liberal Party, Vergara was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for San Felipe for the 1888–1891 legislative term.
He subsequently held several positions in the public administration, including director of the Treasury. On 15 March 1894, he was appointed intendant of Tarapacá Province. He was transferred to Aconcagua Province in the same capacity on 19 July 1894 and was appointed to a new term there on 11 January 1896.
Vergara left the intendancy in July 1897 following his appointment as Minister of War and Navy. He held the ministerial portfolio from 26 June to 25 August 1897. He also served as a councillor of state.
Vergara died in Santiago on 19 May 1906, at the age of 48.