José Onofre Bunster

José Onofre Bunster Villagra

José Onofre Bunster Villagra (2 April 1861 – 15 April 1926) was a Chilean businessman, diplomat and politician.

A member of the Liberal Party, he served in the Chamber of Deputies of Chile between 1888 and 1897 and again from 1921 to 1924. He also served as Minister of War and Navy under President Arturo Alessandri from December 1922 to January 1923.

Early life

Bunster was born in Nacimiento on 2 April 1861, the son of José Bunster Bunster and Lucinda Villagra. On 31 May 1884, he married Elena Garrigó Andrews in Concepción, with whom he had seven children.

He was educated at several schools in Chile and Europe, including institutions in Valparaíso, London and Paris, and obtained a bachelor's degree in humanities on 6 June 1881.

In 1882, Bunster founded the Banco José Bunster in Angol, serving as its general manager. From 1887 to 1891, he managed his father's agricultural and milling properties in Malleco Province and Cautín Province. He later served as a director of the Compañía Minera María Francisca de Plata in 1923.

Political career

A member of the Liberal Party, Bunster was elected as a substitute member of the Chamber of Deputies for Traiguén for the 1888–1891 term. In 1891, he was elected to a full seat representing Temuco and Imperial for the 1891–1894 term. He was subsequently elected for Angol, Traiguén and Collipulli, serving from 1894 to 1897.

After leaving Congress, Bunster entered the diplomatic and consular service. In 1897, during the presidency of Federico Errázuriz Echaurren, he was appointed Chilean consul in Great Britain. He served as president of the consular corps there from 1903 to 1916 and later served as Chilean consul and chargé d'affaires in Peru.

Bunster returned to the Chamber of Deputies in 1921, when he was elected to represent San Fernando for the 1921–1924 term. While serving in Congress, President Arturo Alessandri appointed him Minister of War and Navy. He held the portfolio from 21 December 1922 to 12 January 1923.

Bunster died in Santiago on 15 April 1926, aged 65.