Manuel de Valdivieso
Manuel Joaquín de Valdivieso Maciel (late 18th century – 6 July 1839) was a Chilean lawyer, judge and politician.
He held several secretarial positions during the early stages of the Chilean independence movement, served as a justice of the Supreme Court of Chile, and represented Santiago in the Provincial Assembly of Santiago between 1831 and 1833. He also participated in the establishment of the General Cemetery of Santiago.
Early life
Valdivieso was born in the late eighteenth century. He married Mercedes Zañartu y Mansó, with whom he had children.
He studied at the Faculty of Canon and Civil Law of the Royal University of San Felipe, enrolling on 2 May 1795. He obtained a bachelor's degree in law on 6 February 1798 and qualified as a lawyer on 26 August 1800.
In 1802, he served as a junior university councillor during the rectorship of Miguel de Eyzaguirre. He subsequently practised law.
Political career
Early government service
During the early independence period, Valdivieso held several administrative positions in the provisional Chilean government.
On 11 August 1811, he became secretary of the Provisional Executive Authority, serving until 4 September, when the Executive Tribunal was established.
He subsequently served as secretary of the interim government of the Provisional Supreme Authority from 13 December 1811 to 8 January 1812.
From 8 to 10 January 1812, he was secretary of the Provisional Government Junta.
Establishment of the General Cemetery
During the administration of Supreme Director Bernardo O'Higgins, Valdivieso was appointed to a commission responsible for establishing the General Cemetery of Santiago. The commission was created in accordance with legislation approved by the Senate on 26 August 1819.
He was subsequently appointed administrator of the cemetery.
Parliamentary career
In 1826, Valdivieso was elected substitute deputy for Vallenar to the National Constituent Congress, which met from 4 July 1826 to 22 June 1827.
However, he was not called upon to assume the seat. The titular deputy, , had also been elected for Casablanca and ultimately chose to represent Vallenar.
Valdivieso later served as a representative for Santiago in the Provincial Assembly of Santiago, whose legislative period extended from 13 March 1831 to March 1833.
Judicial career
In 1828, Valdivieso was appointed a criminal judge in Santiago.
In 1830, he became a justice of the Supreme Court of Chile. His parliamentary biography does not specify the dates on which his judicial appointments ended.
Death
Valdivieso died in Santiago on 6 July 1839.