Agustín Cannobio

Agustín Cannobio Galdames (born 8 October 1879) was a Chilean politician, educator, and intellectual who served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies.

He wrote critical studies, romances collected from popular tradition, and numerous articles on art and other subjects.

He belonged to various cultural and charitable institutions, including the Anti-Alcoholism League. He founded the new Academy of Fine Arts together with other artists. He was decorated as a corresponding member of several American and European institutions, including Columbia University.

Biography He was born in San Felipe on 8 October 1879, the son of José Cándido Cannobio and Juana Galdames. He married Emilia Zamora, and they had six children.

He studied at the Liceo of San Felipe and at the Instituto Nacional. He later entered the Instituto Pedagógico of the University of Chile, where he graduated in 1904 as a professor of Spanish and Philosophy.

Professional career He began his career as professor of Spanish and Philosophy at the Instituto Pedagógico. In 1920 he was appointed by the Minister of Education as extraordinary inspector of boys’ secondary schools.

In 1897 he founded the first free night school for workers. He also taught at the Instituto Nacional, the Military Academy, the Internado Nacional Barros Arana, and the Liceo de Aplicación.

He was a member of the Organizing Committee of the Pan-American Congress of 1910 and served on the Superior Council of Arts and Music.

Political career A member of the Radical Party, he was elected deputy for the 24th Departamental Grouping of “Ancud, Castro and Quinchao” for the 1926–1930 legislative period.

During his term, he served on the Permanent Commission of War and Navy and on the Commission of Constitutional Reform and Regulations.

In 1926 he introduced a bill promoting the cultivation and selection of the corahila potato in the Chiloé region.