Manuel Camilo Agustín Vial Formas (March 20, 1804 – February 20, 1882) was a

Chile Chile, officially the Republic of Chile, is a country in western South America. It is the southernmost country in the world and the closest to Antarctica, stretching along a narrow strip of land between the Andes, Andes Mountains and the Paci ...

political figure A politician is a person who participates in policy-making processes, usually holding an elective position in government. Politicians represent the people, make decisions, and influence the formulation of public policy. The roles or duties tha ...

and conservative politician. He served several times as minister.

Early life and family

He was born in

Valparaíso Valparaíso () is a major city, Communes of Chile, commune, Port, seaport, and naval base facility in the Valparaíso Region of Chile. Valparaíso was originally named after Valparaíso de Arriba, in Castilla–La Mancha, Castile-La Mancha, Spain ...

, he was the son of Agustín Vial Santelices and of María del Rosario de Formas y Patiño Sánchez de Morales. After completing his studies, he graduated as a lawyer on July 30, 1835. He married Luisa Carrera Fontecilla and together had one son, Agustín. After her death he married Rafaela de la Lastra Valdivieso, with whom he had eight children.

Career in politics

He became the secretary of the "Congreso de Plenipotenciarios" on September 14, 1830; replacing José Miguel Varas Vallejos. As a leader of the Conservative party, he was elected deputy for Casablanca in 1831. He became Secretary of the chamber and member of the permanent committee on government and foreign affairs as well as the one on legislative affairs and justice. He was reelected, this time for San Carlos, on 1834, and again for Cauquenes in 1843. Vial was elected a Senator from 1846 to 1855; and then again from 1864 to his death in 1882. President

Manuel Bulnes Manuel Bulnes Prieto (; December 25, 1799 – October 18, 1866) was a Chilean military and political figure who was President of Chile from 1841 to 1851. Born in Concepción, he served as the president of Chile between 1841 and 1851. At the ...

named him Minister of the Interior and Foreign Affairs on September 18, 1846; of Finance, on September 2, 1848; of Justice, Cult and Public Education, on 1849. He was also plenipotentiary minister to Peru in 1846. He was also a State Councillor and Supreme Court fiscal. He died in Valparaiso, at the age of 78. 1804 births 1882 deaths Members of the Senate of Chile Members of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile Ministers of the interior of Chile Foreign ministers of Chile Ministers of finance of Chile Ministers of justice of Chile Ambassadors of Chile to Peru Chilean people of French descent Politicians from Valparaíso Chilean people of Catalan descent {{Chile-Deputy-stub