The 1936 Nobel Peace Prize was awarded to an Argentine diplomat for his pivotal role in resolving the Chaco War between Bolivia and Paraguay. Carlos Saavedra Lamas, a jurist and politician, leveraged his expertise in international law to secure regional stability during a period of intense South American conflict and fluctuating global allegiances.
Academic and Legal Foundation
Born in Buenos Aires in 1878, Saavedra Lamas pursued an extensive education, attending the National School of Buenos Aires, the University of Buenos Aires, and the National University of La Plata. He earned a doctorate in law summa cum laude in 1903. His academic career spanned four decades, during which he served as a university teacher and eventually rector of the University of Buenos Aires. His scholarly focus encompassed constitutional and labor law, producing significant texts such as the three-volume Código nacional del trabajo published in 1933.
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Saavedra Lamas began his public life in 1906, working as director of public credit and secretary-general of the Buenos Aires municipality. He served as a member of the Argentine Chamber of Deputies from 1908 to 1912 and again from 1912 to 1915. During his legislative tenure, he influenced policy on irrigation, sugar production, and government finance. From 1915 to 1916, he held the position of minister of Justice and Human Rights, where he reorganized educational branches and established vocational training curricula.
Diplomatic Achievements and International Recognition
As Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship from 1932 to 1938, Saavedra Lamas steered Argentina's international strategy, including the country's return to the League of Nations. He authored the 1933 Treaty of Nonaggression and Conciliation and spearheaded the Declaration of August 3 in Washington, which committed American states to rejecting territorial changes enforced by military conflict. These diplomatic interventions facilitated the cessation of the Chaco War, earning him the Nobel Peace Prize in 1936.
Later Years and Legacy
Following his term as foreign minister, Saavedra Lamas returned to academia, serving as rector of the University of Buenos Aires between 1941 and 1943. He remained a member of the Academia Nacional de Ciencias Morales y Políticas until his death in 1959. He was buried at Recoleta Cemetery in Buenos Aires. Decades after his passing, his Nobel medal became the subject of public interest following its discovery in a pawn shop and subsequent sale to a private collector.
Fast facts
- Born: 1878, Buenos Aires
- Died: 1959, Buenos Aires
- Education: University of Buenos Aires, National University of La Plata
- Key Position: Minister of Foreign Affairs and Worship (1932-1938)
- Major Award: Nobel Peace Prize (1936)
- Notable Membership: Academia Nacional de Ciencias Morales y Políticas
- Final Resting Place: Recoleta Cemetery
Questions readers ask
What was Carlos Saavedra Lamas's primary diplomatic achievement?
He was instrumental in negotiating the end of the Chaco War between Bolivia and Paraguay through the drafting of the 1933 Treaty of Nonaggression and Conciliation.
Did he hold positions in the Argentine government besides Foreign Minister?
Yes, he served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies, minister of Justice and Human Rights, and held several administrative roles in the Buenos Aires municipality.
Achievements
- Nobel Peace Prize — 1936
- Affiliated with University of Buenos Aires
- Educated at University of Buenos Aires
- Worked as jurist, lawyer and diplomat
