Ignacio García Henríquez

Ignacio García Henríquez (17 November 1895 – 20 July 1975) was a Chilean lawyer, journalist, and politician who served as a member of the Chamber of Deputies.

Early life and education He was born in Puerto Montt on 17 November 1895, the son of Ignacio García and Carmen Henríquez.

He married Aída Pacheco del Campo, and they had six children.

He studied at the Colegio de los Sagrados Corazones, San Pedro Nolasco, and the Seminary of Ancud. He later entered the Faculty of Law of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile, where his thesis was entitled Vicios reviditorios.

Professional career He worked as a journalist and in 1920 became director of the Diario Austral of Temuco. He was reporter, editor, and editorial secretary of the Diario Ilustrado, and scriptwriter of the radio bulletin El día político on C.B. 106, Radio Sociedad Nacional de Minería.

Between 1930 and 1931, he was editor of La Nación. From 1931 onward, he served as an official of the Caja de Seguro Obligatorio; he was head of the Almendral office in Valparaíso from 1940 to 1944, secretary to the president of the institution, and head of the Welfare Department.

He was also a member of the Comunidad en Puntra, Ancud, owner of Río Verde, dedicated to livestock, agriculture, and timber exportation.

Political career He was a member of the Conservative Party and later of the Traditionalist Conservative Party.

He served as presidential elector and presided over the Council of Electors of Chiloé in 1920. He worked in the electoral campaigns of Arturo Lyon and Carlos Werner. In January 1925, he was general secretary of the Unión Nacional that proclaimed the candidacy of Ladislao Errázuriz, and secretary of his party's Propaganda Center.

He was elected deputy for the 24th Departamental Grouping of “Ancud, Castro and Quinchao” for the 1926–1930 legislative period, and was re-elected for the 23rd Departamental Grouping of “Osorno, Llanquihue and Carelmapu” for the 1930–1934 period.

He served on the Commissions of War and Navy (1926–1930 and 1930–1932), Public Education (1926–1930), and Budget. His term ended prematurely following the revolutionary movement of 4 June 1932, which decreed the dissolution of Congress on 6 June.

During his tenure, he secured for his locality the establishment of the Liceo and Hospital of Castro, as well as the Normal School and the Agricultural School of Ancud.

Other activities He was a member and secretary of the Catholic Students’ Association, secretary of the Law Center, and member and president of the Sportman Club.

He died in Viña del Mar on 20 July 1975.