Guillermo Bañados
Guillermo Mentor Bañados Honorato (25 July 1870 – 2 December 1947) was a Chilean writer, journalist, businessman and politician.
A member of the Democratic Party, he served in the Chamber of Deputies of Chile between 1912 and 1921 and represented Santiago in the Senate of Chile from 1921 until the dissolution of Congress in 1924. He also held cabinet positions in 1924 and 1932.
Early life and career
Bañados was born in San Felipe on 25 July 1870, the son of Federico Matías Bañados Moreno and Zulema Honorato Biancos. He studied at the Liceo de San Felipe and later at the Instituto Pedagógico in Santiago.
During the Chilean Civil War of 1891, Bañados left his studies and joined the forces that remained loyal to President José Manuel Balmaceda. Holding the rank of lieutenant, he took part in the Battle of Placilla. In 1893, he joined the Chilean Navy as an instructor and two years later became a third-class accountant. He remained in naval service until January 1912.
Bañados also worked as a journalist, newspaper proprietor and commercial broker. His writings covered naval and military affairs, the merchant marine, economic questions and other subjects. Among his publications were works on Chilean navigation and naval administration, the merchant marine, the port of Valparaíso, paper manufacturing and José Miguel Carrera.
He founded the Gran Federación de Gente de Mar de Chile and the Sociedad Ciencia, Trabajo y Progreso de la Mujer. He was also involved in organizations associated with the labor and mutual-aid movements, including the Congreso Social Obrero, and served as president of the Comité Internacional Interamericano de las Sociedades Obreras Laicas y Católicas.
Bañados married Elena Martínez. In 1928, he married Mercedes Montalva Martínez, with whom he had three children.
Political career
Bañados joined the Democratic Party in 1888 and participated in establishing its organization in San Felipe. He later served as president of the party from 1920 to 1921. He also held municipal office as a councillor in Valparaíso.
In March 1912, Bañados was elected to the Chamber of Deputies for Valparaíso for the 1912–1915 term. He served on the Permanent Commission on War and Navy.
He returned to the Chamber in 1918 as representative for Coelemu and Talcahuano for the 1918–1921 term, serving on the Permanent Commissions on Legislation and Justice and on Finance.
In 1921, Bañados was elected to the Senate of Chile for Santiago for the 1921–1927 term. He served on the Permanent Commission on War and Navy and as a substitute member of the Permanent Commission on Legislation and Justice. His term ended prematurely when the National Congress was dissolved by decree of the military junta on 11 September 1924.
Bañados served as Minister of Industry, Public Works and Railways from 24 July to 5 September 1924. He later returned to government as Minister of Justice, holding that portfolio from 11 July to 14 September 1932.
He also participated in the constitutional process of 1925 and was a member of the Chilean delegation sent to Brazil for the centenary of Brazilian independence in 1922.
Bañados died in Santiago on 2 December 1947, aged 77.