Galvarino Gallardo
Galvarino Gallardo Nieto (30 August 1877 – 13 January 1957) was a Chilean lawyer, politician, diplomat and journalist.
A member of the Radical Party, he served in the Chamber of Deputies of Chile from 1918 to 1921 and held the portfolios of Finance and Foreign Affairs, Worship and Colonization under President Arturo Alessandri. He later served as mayor of Santiago from 1943 to 1946.
Several public places have been named after Gallardo, including the Galvarino Gallardo Terrace, a coastal pedestrian promenade in Cartagena, and Galvarino Gallardo Street in Providencia, Santiago.
Early life and career
Gallardo was born in Talca on 30 August 1877, the son of Galvarino Gallardo Font and Josefina Nieto Arriagada. His grandfather, José Camilo Gallardo, was a printer associated with the First Government Junta of Chile and subsequently with the Chilean government.
He attended the Instituto Nacional and studied law at the University of Chile, qualifying as a lawyer on 30 May 1898.
Gallardo also pursued a career in journalism. He worked for El Ferrocarril and contributed to several newspapers and magazines, as well as publishing studies on legal subjects. He later joined the staff of El Mercurio, where he wrote on international affairs.
He married Berta Arancibia; the couple had no children.
Political career
Gallardo was a member of the Radical Party. In 1909, he was appointed an ad honorem inspector of Chilean consulates in Europe and the United States. During his travels, he continued contributing correspondence to the Chilean press. He later served on the Plebiscitary Commission connected with the Tacna–Arica dispute.
In 1918, Gallardo was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for Chillán, serving for the 1918–1921 term. He sat on the Permanent Commissions on Foreign Affairs and Colonization and on the Budget, and was a member of the Conservative Commission during the congressional recess of 1920–1921.
Gallardo was also active in the fire service and held several positions within the organization, including director general. In May 1919, he was appointed an honorary director.
Under President Arturo Alessandri, Gallardo served as Minister of Finance from 22 March to 1 April 1922. Alessandri later appointed him Minister of Foreign Affairs, Worship and Colonization, a position he held from 14 March to 20 July 1924.
After completing his parliamentary term, Gallardo spent time in the coastal town of Cartagena, where he continued his journalistic work. In 1923, he became the municipality's first mayor.
In 1927, Gallardo was exiled from Chile along with Alessandri and other political figures. He settled in Buenos Aires, where he wrote articles opposing the Chilean government. After returning to Chile, he later served as mayor of Santiago from 1943 to 1946.
Gallardo died in Santiago on 13 January 1957.