Miguel Varas Velásquez
Miguel Varas Velásquez (1880 – 11 July 1934) was a Chilean lawyer, politician, farmer and historian affiliated with the National Party. He served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies between 1909 and 1912, representing Ancud, Quinchao and Castro.
Biography
Varas was born in Santiago in 1880, the son of Miguel Antonio Varas Herrera and Clotilde Velásquez. He was a grandson of Chilean politician Antonio Varas. He married Inés Aguirre, with whom he had children.
He studied law at the University of Chile and was admitted to the bar on 31 May 1904. Although trained as a lawyer, he devoted much of his career to agriculture and historical research. His involvement in the latter field led him to serve as president of the Society of History and Geography.
Varas was active in historical scholarship and public lectures. In 1918, he delivered a lecture at the Centro Nacional on the period known as the Tyranny of the Decade, discussing the role of his grandfather Antonio Varas and the legislation on individual guarantees. The following year, he gave a lecture at the National Library of Chile on the war between Spain, Chile and Peru and published a study on the ideals of American unity held by earlier generations.
Beginning in 1918, Varas also undertook the publication of his grandfather's correspondence. By 1929, five volumes of approximately 400 pages each had been published, covering a variety of historical subjects.
Political career
A member of the National Party, Varas was elected deputy for Ancud, Quinchao and Castro for the 1909–1912 legislative period. During his term, he served on the Public Instruction Committee.
Varas died in Santiago on 11 July 1934.