Luis Rodríguez Herrera
Luis Martiniano Rodríguez Herrera (15 October 1843 – 1 November 1929) was a Chilean lawyer, teacher and politician who served several terms as a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile and as Minister of Foreign Affairs, Worship and Colonization.
He also served several times as intendant of Chiloé Province and later as intendant of O'Higgins Province.
Early life
Rodríguez was born in Santiago on 15 October 1843 to Juan Esteban Rodríguez Segura and Carmen Herrera Gallegos.
He studied humanities at the Seminary and the Instituto Nacional in Santiago before studying law at the University of Chile. He received his law degree in 1887.
In 1862, Rodríguez joined the Instituto Nacional as a professor of Spanish grammar, a position he held until 1888, except during periods in which he performed public duties.
Political career
A member of the Liberal Party, Rodríguez was elected substitute deputy for San Carlos for the 1870–1873 legislative term, later becoming a full deputy after José Victorino Lastarria chose to represent Quillota. He subsequently represented Parral from 1876 to 1879.
In 1880, during the presidency of Aníbal Pinto, Rodríguez was appointed intendant of Chiloé Province. He returned to the Chamber of Deputies as deputy for Ancud and Quinchao from 1885 to 1888 and for Ancud from 1888 to 1891. During the 1891 Chilean Civil War, he sided with Congress against President José Manuel Balmaceda. The following year, President Jorge Montt appointed him intendant of Chiloé Province.
During the final months of the presidency of Federico Errázuriz Echaurren, Rodríguez was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs, Worship and Colonization, serving from 1 May to 18 September 1901. He also served concurrently as acting Minister of the Interior after Aníbal Zañartu assumed the vice presidency following Errázuriz Echaurren's death.
Rodríguez was later again appointed intendant of Chiloé Province, remaining in office until 1912. That year, he returned to the Chamber of Deputies as representative for Valdivia and La Unión for the 1912–1915 legislative term. After leaving Congress, he was appointed intendant of O'Higgins Province, concluding his public career in that position.
Rodríguez died in Santiago on 1 November 1929, aged 86.