Nicolás Peña
Nicolás Peña Vicuña (1854 – 16 November 1895) was a Chilean journalist and politician who served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies of Chile, as Minister of War and Navy under President José Manuel Balmaceda, and as Intendant of Santiago Province.
Early life
Peña was born in 1854. He studied at the Instituto Nacional and subsequently pursued a career in journalism. He contributed to La Libertad, La República and Los Tiempos.
During the War of the Pacific, Peña served as secretary general of the General Intendancy of the Army. He was also associated with the 1879 publication La guerra ilustrada de Chile, Perú y Bolivia.
Political career
A member of the Liberal Party, Peña was elected deputy for Illapel for the 1876–1879 legislative term. He was subsequently elected substitute deputy for Concepción and Talcahuano for 1879–1882 and later represented Antofagasta from 1885 to 1888.
Under President José Manuel Balmaceda, Peña served as Minister of War and Navy from 30 November 1886 to 28 June 1887. His tenure coincided with the early stages of the reorganization and modernization of Chilean military education.
In late 1887, Peña was appointed secretary of the Chilean legation in France. He later returned to Chile and was appointed Intendant of Santiago Province.
Peña died in Santiago on 16 November 1895, while serving as intendant.