Juan Ignacio de la Carrera Yturgoyen

Juan Ignacio de la Carrera Yturgoyen (31 July 1620 – 27 March 1682) was a Spanish soldier known for his career in colonial administration of Chile and for being the original patriarch of the Carrera family, a family that had outstanding public participation during the nineteenth century, especially during the Independence of Chile.

Early life Carrera was born on 31 July 1620 in Alegia, Kingdom of Navarre (present-day, Basque Country, Spain) to Juan de la Carrera Lapaza and Francisca de Iturgoyen y Amasa. Carrera was baptised on 31 August 1620.

Career During his political career he held the following roles: Mayor of Santiago in 1655 during the Great Uprising Field Master of the Royal Army in 1656 and 1668. Encomendero of Peteroa and Malloa of March 26, 1656, (vacated by the death of Luis Jufré). Founding of Fort de la Encarnación in 1666 Knight of the Order of Alcántara 1663 Governor of the Royal Arms 1663, 1669 Governor of Valdivia 1671–1673 Mayor of Santiago in 1676.

Personal life In 1655, Carrera married Catalina de Elguea y Cáceres, the great-great-granddaughter of , with whom he had ten children. Carrera fathered three illegitimate children.