Cornelio Saavedra Montt
Cornelio Saavedra Montt (20 May 1884 – 24 March 1946) was a Chilean politician who served as a minister.
Alongside his parliamentary career, Saavedra held several cabinet positions. Under President Ramón Barros Luco, he served as Minister of Industry and Public Works from December 1914 to June 1915. He was Minister of War and Navy under Juan Luis Sanfuentes from January to July 1916.
During the presidency of Arturo Alessandri, he served twice as Minister of the Interior, from March to June 1923 and from March to July 1924. He also briefly served as acting Minister of Industry, Public Works and Railways in 1924.
After leaving politics in 1926, Saavedra returned to business. He headed Saavedra Bénard y Cía., a commercial firm founded by his father, and served as a director of the Corporación de Ventas de Salitre y Yodo and the Compañía de Teléfonos de Chile. He was also president of the company that published La Nación.
His decorations included the Order of Isabella the Catholic and the Order of the Crown of Italy. He was also a member and former director of the Club de la Unión and a member of the Club Hípico de Santiago.
Early life and career
Saavedra was born in Valparaíso on 10 May 1884, the son of politician Cornelio Saavedra Rivera and Eufemia Montt Saavedra. He studied at the Sacred Hearts School of Valparaíso and later attended the Military Academy in Santiago. He married Amelia Pinto Correa, with whom he had seven children.
Saavedra pursued a career in business and industry and became active in the National Party. From 1906 to 1909, he served as a member of the Santiago municipal council and was first mayor of the city for eight months in 1907.
Political career
Saavedra was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for Temuco, Imperial and Llaima for the 1909–1912 term. He served as second vice president of the Chamber from January to August 1911 and chaired the Permanent Commission on Industry. In 1910, he accompanied President Pedro Montt to Buenos Aires for the celebrations marking the centenary of Argentine independence.
He was reelected for Temuco, Imperial and Llaima for the 1912–1915 term and served on the Permanent Commission on Government. In 1912, the Chamber of Deputies appointed him as its representative at the centenary of the Cortes of Cádiz in Spain, where he received a commemorative gold medal from King Alfonso XIII.
Saavedra subsequently represented Collipulli and Mariluán in the Chamber of Deputies during the 1915–1918 and 1921–1924 terms. He chaired the Permanent Commission on Government during his first term for the constituency and later served on the Permanent Commission on Internal Police.
In 1924, Saavedra was elected to the Senate for Malleco Province for the 1924–1930 term and chaired the Permanent Commission on War and Navy. His term was cut short when Congress was dissolved following the September 1924 coup.
In July 1925, Saavedra was appointed Chilean consul general in Germany, based in Hamburg, serving until his resignation in July 1926. He also served as a member of the Council of State.
Saavedra died in Santiago on 24 March 1946, aged 61.