Enrique Oyarzún Mondaca

Enrique Oyarzún Mondaca (born 20 June 1860–19 August 1849) was a Chilean politician, lawyer and teacher of Spanish language who served as President of the Senate of Chile.

Biography He was born in Vallenar on 20 June 1867, son of Pedro Oyarzún and Santos Mondaca.

He completed his schooling in Santiago and studied Law at the University of Chile, obtaining his professional degree in 1892.

He was appointed professor of Spanish and lecturer in Philosophy of Law in the Law Course at the Liceo de Concepción, serving from March 1893 until June 1909. In February 1905 he was entrusted with the direction of the Instituto Técnico y Comercial de Concepción, a position he held until June 1909, while also teaching Civil, Constitutional and Commercial Law at that institution.

He was member of the Radical Party, standing out for his public service and leadership within the organization.

In September 1914 President Ramón Barros Luco appointed him Minister of Finance, a post he held from 6 to 15 September of that year, amid the financial consequences of the outbreak of the First World War. He was again appointed Minister of Finance under President Juan Luis Sanfuentes, serving from 26 March to 12 June 1920, and reassumed the same portfolio during the presidency of Arturo Alessandri Palma, from 13 May to 17 August 1921.

While serving as deputy, he was entrusted in 1917 and 1920 with presiding over commissions sent to study and resolve nitrate labor conflicts and strikes.

After the dissolution of political parties in 1924, he cooperated in the reorganization of the Radical Party and, as its president, organized three party conventions. The speeches delivered on those occasions were published in 1925 under the title El radicalismo ante la revolución.

He later served as president of the Central Bank of Chile during the presidency of Pedro Aguirre Cerda.

He died in Santiago on 19 August 1949.