Augusto Vicuña Subercaseaux

Augusto Vicuña Subercaseaux (born 15 May 1882) was a Chilean lawyer, academic and politician. A member of the Liberal Democratic Party, he served as a deputy representing Santiago during several legislative periods between 1912 and 1930.

Biography Vicuña was born on 15 May 1882, the son of Claudio Vicuña Guerrero and Lucía Subercaseaux Vicuña. He studied at the Instituto Nacional in Buenos Aires and at the Colegio de los Sagrados Corazones. He later pursued legal studies at the University of Chile, qualifying as a lawyer on 21 June 1905; his thesis was titled Doctrina Monroe.

He practiced law privately and developed an academic career as professor of constitutional law at the University of Chile. He was also associated with the Patronato de la Infancia, served as an adviser on primary education, and was director of the Sociedad de Instrucción Primaria. He participated in the organisation of the First Congress of Local Government and served as secretary of the First Pan-American Scientific Congress held in Chile.

He was married to María García Huidobro Guzmán, with whom he had one son.

Political career From his youth Vicuña was active in the Liberal Democratic Party, serving as president of its youth wing and later as vice-president of the party.

He was also active in journalism, writing on political affairs and constitutional law, consistently defending the presidential system and invoking the doctrines of José Manuel Balmaceda.

In 1909 he was elected councillor of the Municipality of Santiago and later served as secretary of the Municipal Reform Board.

He was elected deputy for Santiago for the 1912–1915 legislative period, serving on the Permanent Commissions on Public Assistance and Worship and on Public Instruction. He was re-elected for the 1915–1918 period, where he joined the Permanent Commission on Government.

He was again elected deputy for the Seventh Departamental Grouping of Santiago for the 1926–1930 period, during which he served as First Vice-President of the Chamber between 1 March and 4 October 1926, and was a member of the Permanent Commission on Constitutional Reform and Regulations.

In 1930 he left the country and resided in Paris, France. Following the fall of the regime of Carlos Ibáñez del Campo, he returned to Chile and in August 1931 became one of the leaders of the newly formed Unión Republicana.

He was a member of the Club de la Unión and participated in neighbourhood organisations in Santiago.