The Santiago edition of the newspaper El Mercurio was established by Agustín Edwards Mac-Clure in 1900, expanding the reach of a publication he inherited from his father. This venture served as a cornerstone for his multifaceted career in Chile, bridging the worlds of high-stakes media, institutional diplomacy, and national governance during a pivotal era for the nation.
Political and Diplomatic Service
Edwards Mac-Clure served in the lower house of the Chilean National Congress for four consecutive terms between 1900 and 1910 as a member of the Partido Nacional. His executive experience included roles as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Cult and Colonization under presidents Germán Riesco and Pedro Montt. In 1910, he became the Minister of the Interior and was appointed plenipotentiary to Great Britain. His diplomatic efforts included critical negotiations with Peru regarding the status of Tacna and Arica. Between 1922 and 1923, he presided over the General Assembly of the League of Nations.
Twenty questions, eight minutes on the clock, and a percentile measured against everyone who has taken it. No sign-up.
Take the IQ test →Institutional Contributions
Beyond his political duties, he acted as the executor for the will of Federico Santa María Carrera. This responsibility led to the founding of the Federico Santa María Technical University in 1926. A scholar and historian, he was a founding member of the Chilean Society of History and Geography and held membership in the Academia Chilena de la Lengua. His literary output included historical volumes such as El Alba and Cuatro Presidentes de Chile, which detailed the administrations of presidents Prieto, Bulnes, Montt, and Pérez. He also authored My Native Land in English and provided the foreword for Trout Fishing in Chilean Rivers shortly before his death.
Final Years
In 1940, his professional body of work was recognized with the Maria Moors Cabot Prize. On June 18, 1941, he died at the age of 63 at his residence in the Errázuriz Urmeneta Palace, located at Alameda 1656. His funeral took place on June 20, following a mass held at his home by Monsignor Carlos Casanueva, the rector of the Catholic University of Chile. His remains were interred in the General Cemetery.
Fast facts
- Born: 1878, Santiago, Chile
- Died: 1941, Santiago, Chile
- Education: Colegio de los Sagrados Corazones de Valparaíso-Viña del Mar and Colegio San Ignacio
- Primary Occupation: Journalist, banker, diplomat, politician, and jurist
- Notable Foundation: Federico Santa María Technical University
- League of Nations Tenure: President of the General Assembly, 1922-1923
- Award: Maria Moors Cabot Prize, 1940
Questions readers ask
What specific political party did he represent in Congress?
He represented the Partido Nacional during his four terms between 1900 and 1910.
Did he have any involvement in university education?
Yes, as the executor of Federico Santa María Carrera's will, he helped establish the Federico Santa María Technical University.
Achievements
- Maria Moors Cabot Prizes — 1940
- Affiliated with El Mercurio
- Educated at Colegio de los Sagrados Corazones de Valparaíso-Viña del Mar and Colegio San Ignacio
