Manuel Blanco Encalada
Manuel José Blanco y Calvo de Encalada was a vice-admiral in the Chilean Navy, a political figure, and Chile's first President .
Biography
Born in Buenos Aires, then the capital of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, Blanco Encalada was the son of the Spaniard Manuel Lorenzo Blanco Cicerón and the Chilean Mercedes Calvo de Encalada y Recabarren. He received his naval training in Spain.During the Chilean War of Independence, he joined the Chilean patriot forces, serving under Lord Cochrane, and took part in several naval operations. He rose to the rank of vice admiral and, in 1825, commanded the Chilean forces that participated in the campaign leading to the capture of Chiloé.
In 1826, Congress elected him to the newly established office of President of the Republic. His brief administration was marked by conflicts with Congress, which sought to implement a federalist system. Facing increasing political tensions and lack of agreement, he resigned after two months in office.
Later, he took part in the war against the Peruvian-Bolivian Confederation and in the Spanish–South American War. After these conflicts, he served as governor of Valparaíso and as Chilean minister to France. He was also an active Freemason.
Blanco Encalada died in Santiago de Chile at the age of 86.