Carlos Concha Subercaseaux
Carlos Concha Subercaseaux (17 September 1863 – 11 March 1917) was a Chilean lawyer, diplomat and politician who served as a member and president of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile. He also served twice as Minister of War and Navy and represented Chile in several diplomatic missions.
Early life
Concha was born in Santiago on 17 September 1863, the son of Melchor Concha Toro and Emiliana Subercaseaux Vicuña. He studied law at the University of Chile and qualified as a lawyer on 13 April 1885.
On 22 January 1887, he married Mercedes Hurtado Lecaros, with whom he had two children.
Political career
A member of the Conservative Party, Concha also served as secretary of the party's general executive board. He entered public life as mayor of Santiago before beginning his parliamentary career.
In 1891, Concha was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for San Felipe, Los Andes and Putaendo, serving until 1894. During this term, he was a member of the permanent committee on constitution, legislation and justice and of the Conservative Commission during the 1893–1894 parliamentary recess.
He was subsequently elected deputy for Santiago for the 1894–1897 and 1897–1900 terms. During these periods, he continued to participate in the committee on constitution, legislation and justice and also served on the foreign relations committee and the Conservative Commission.
Concha served twice as Minister of War and Navy, first from 19 December 1898 to 27 June 1899 and again from 2 to 27 November 1899.
From 1900 to 1903, he served as Chile's ambassador to Argentina. His diplomatic career also included representing Chile at the Pan-American Congress in Mexico, at The Hague, and at the centenary commemorations of the Spanish Constitution of 1812 in Cádiz. He was additionally sent as a special representative to the coronation of King Alfonso XIII.
In 1902, Concha participated in the signing of the May Pacts between Chile and Argentina, agreements intended to address outstanding disputes between the two countries.
After returning from his diplomatic posting, Concha was again elected deputy for Santiago for the 1903–1906 term. He served on the foreign relations committee and the Conservative Commission during the 1903–1904 recess. From 14 to 31 October 1905, he served as president of the Chamber of Deputies.
Concha died in Viña del Mar on 11 March 1917.