Vicente Dávila Larraín
Vicente Dávila Larraín (21 September 1846 – 28 November 1896) was a Chilean lawyer, farmer and politician who served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile and twice as Minister of Industry and Public Works.
He served in the cabinet of President José Manuel Balmaceda in 1888 and later held the same portfolio under President Jorge Montt from 1892 to 1894.
Early life
Dávila was born in Santiago on 21 September 1846 to Juan Domingo Dávila Silva and María Coleta Larraín Landa. His brothers Juan Domingo Dávila and José Benjamín Dávila also served in the Chilean Congress. He studied at the Instituto Nacional and later law at the University of Chile, qualifying as a lawyer in 1868 with a thesis on the principles of criminal law.
In addition to practicing law, Dávila was involved in agriculture. He was appointed director of the International Exhibition of Santiago in 1869 and organized the Agricultural School of Santiago in 1871. During the War of the Pacific, he served as Intendant General of the Army from 1879 to 1882, overseeing supplies and economic administration.
In 1894, he married Carmela Ossa Ossa, the widow of his brother Juan Domingo.
Political career
A member of the Liberal Party, Dávila began his parliamentary career as substitute deputy for Angol for the 1876–1879 legislative period. He later returned to Congress as deputy for Chillán from 1882 to 1885, serving on the permanent committee for war and navy.
In 1885, Dávila was elected for both Antofagasta and Concepción and Talcahuano, choosing to represent the latter constituency. His term ended on 15 December 1885 after he was appointed a government agent for the consignment of guano. He returned to the Chamber in 1888 as deputy for Antofagasta, serving until 1891.
President José Manuel Balmaceda appointed Dávila Minister of Industry and Public Works on 12 April 1888. He served until October of that year. Despite having served in Balmaceda's government, Dávila later supported the congressional side during the Chilean Civil War of 1891 and signed the act declaring Balmaceda deposed.
Under President Jorge Montt, Dávila returned to the Ministry of Industry and Public Works on 11 June 1892, succeeding Jorge Riesco Errázuriz. He remained in office until 26 April 1894, when he was succeeded by Manuel Antonio Prieto. During this period, he also served on three occasions as acting Minister of War and Navy: in September–October 1892, March 1893 and August 1893.
Outside Congress and the cabinet, Dávila served as director of the Banco Nacional Hipotecario and president of the Sociedad de Fomento de Razas Caballares. He was also superintendent of the First Fire Company of Santiago in 1891 and administered the Hospital San Vicente de Paul from 1889 until his death.
Dávila died in Santiago on 28 November 1896.