Federico Varela (Chilean politician)
Federico Varela Cortés de Monroy (18 May 1826 – 13 July 1908) was a Chilean merchant, farmer, mining entrepreneur, philanthropist and politician who served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile, as a senator for several constituencies and as intendant of Valparaíso Province.
A member of the Radical Party, Varela represented Copiapó and Caldera in the Chamber of Deputies and later served in the Senate for Valparaíso, Antofagasta, Cautín and Atacama.
Early life
Varela was born in Palqui, Coquimbo, on 18 May 1826 to José Varela Gaviño and Victoria Cortés Monroy Pardo. He never married.
He was involved in agriculture, industry and mining. Varela operated mining interests at Ojauco and Tres Puntas and, in 1867, acquired the Fortunata copper mine in Chañaral. He subsequently established a smelting facility and a business purchasing mineral products. In 1881, he became a member of the governing council for mining and smelting construction in Chañaral.
Varela also supported the construction of the railway between Chañaral and Pueblo Hundido and established a mining company hospital, a theatre and a democratic school in 1870. In 1876, he settled in Valparaíso.
Political career
A member of the Radical Party, Varela was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for Copiapó and Caldera for the 1879–1882 parliamentary period. He served as a substitute member of the permanent committee for finance and industry and was a member of the Conservative Commission during the congressional recesses of 1880–1881 and 1881–1882.
In December 1881, Varela was appointed intendant of Valparaíso Province, serving until 1884. He also became a member of the Council of State.
Varela was elected to the Senate for Valparaíso Province for the 1882–1888 term. During this period, he served on the permanent committees for war and navy and for government and foreign relations.
He returned to the Senate as representative for Antofagasta Province for the 1891–1897 parliamentary period, taking his seat on 13 November 1891. He served on the permanent committee for finance and industry.
In 1899, following the death of the sitting senator for Cautín Province, Varela was elected to fill the vacancy for the remainder of the 1894–1900 term and entered the Senate on 3 August 1899. The approval of his credentials generated a lengthy debate and was ultimately not completed; the proceedings were archived the following year.
Varela was elected senator for Atacama Province for the 1900–1906 term. He initially served on the permanent committee for finance and industry and later on the finance committee following its separation. He was also a member of the Conservative Commission during the 1901–1902 congressional recess.
In 1906, Varela was again elected senator for Valparaíso Province for the 1906–1912 parliamentary period. He served on the permanent government committee but died before completing his term.
Outside parliamentary politics, Varela was noted for his philanthropic activities and provided support to educational, scientific and social initiatives. Between 1894 and 1901, he financed a private law course at the Liceo de Valparaíso, which became a predecessor of the present-day School of Law of the University of Valparaíso. The Liceo de Chañaral and the city's public library were later named after him.
Varela died in Valparaíso on 13 July 1908, aged 82.