Francisco Valdés Cuevas
Francisco de Borja Valdés Cuevas (1851 – 11 June 1929) was a Chilean farmer and politician who served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile and twice as Minister of Industry and Public Works.
Early life
Valdés was born in Santiago in 1851 to Francisco de Borja Valdés Aldunate and Antonia Cuevas Avaria. He studied humanities at the Instituto Nacional and later studied law at the University of the State, but did not complete his degree.
He married María Teresa Ortúzar Cuevas, with whom he had one son. Valdés devoted himself primarily to agriculture and managed his estates in Rancagua and San Fernando.
Political career
A member of the Liberal Party, Valdés was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for Caupolicán for the 1882–1885 legislative term. During his parliamentary service, he was a member of the permanent committee on government and foreign relations.
Valdés later held several public positions. He served as a member of the Council of State and participated in political and administrative affairs outside Congress.
Under President Federico Errázuriz Echaurren, Valdés was appointed Minister of Industry and Public Works on 26 November 1896. He held the position until 26 June 1897.
Valdés returned to the Ministry of Industry and Public Works during the presidency of Germán Riesco, serving from 12 April to 12 May 1904.
Outside politics, Valdés remained involved in agricultural activities and was associated with organizations related to the development of agriculture in Chile.
Valdés died in Santiago on 11 June 1929.