Augusto Rivera

Augusto Rivera Parga (25 June 1883 – 3 November 1949) was a Chilean naval officer, civil engineer, and Radical Party politician. He was a senator of Chile between 1926 and 1932. He also held administrative positions such as Intendant of Concepción and Intendant of Santiago.

Early life and education

Rivera Parga was born in San Fernando, Chile, on 25 June 1883, the son of Domingo Rivera Cruzat and Dolores Parga Olmos de Aguilera.

He studied at the San Fernando Lyceum and later entered the Naval School, from which he retired with the rank of second lieutenant.

Early career

Rivera Parga worked as a hydrographic engineer in the Directorate of Public Works of Chile during 1906-1910.

Later he worked in the insurance sector as a claims liquidator in Concepción, Valparaíso and Santiago, a position he held until about 1936.

Public administration

Rivera Parga was Intendant of Concepción (1921-24) and Intendant of Santiago (1938-40).

He also served as a government commissioner in negotiations related to the acquisition of the Lebu–Los Sauces railway by the Chilean state.

Political career

Rivera was a member of the Radical Party. He served as director and president of the Radical Assembly of Concepción and later as national president of the party in 1929.

He was elected senator for the 7th Provincial Grouping (Ñuble, Concepción and Bío-Bío) for the 1926–1934 period. During his senatorial tenure he served on the Standing Committees on Government, which he chaired, Labour and Social Welfare, and Public Works and Communications.

The political crisis of 1932 led to the dissolution of the National Congress on 6 June 1932.

During his time as senator and as Intendant, funds from the Concepción Lottery were allocated to support the University of Concepción and the reconstruction of public buildings.

Community involvement

Rivera Parga was involved in civic and educational associations in Concepción, including the Sociedad de Instrucción Primaria.

Personal life and death

Rivera Parga married Ana Parga Cuevas on 11 October 1906, they had seven children. He died in Santiago on 3 November 1949.