Manuel José Irarrázaval Larraín

Manuel José Irarrázaval Larraín (22 June 1912 – 16 November 1995) was a Chilean engineer, landowner, and politician of the Conservative Party.

He served as Deputy of the Republic for the 4th Departmental Grouping (La Serena, Elqui, Coquimbo, Ovalle, Combarbalá, and Illapel) during two non-consecutive legislative periods: 1937–1941 and 1957–1961.

Early life and education Born in Santiago on 22 June 1912, he was the son of Sergio Irarrázaval Correa and Virginia Larraín García-Moreno.

He studied at the Deutsche Schule Santiago, then continued his education abroad at Seafolk in England and the Saint-Louis de Gonzague School in Paris, France. Upon returning to Chile, he attended the Colegio San Ignacio, Santiago (1925–1929) and later entered the Faculty of Engineering of the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.

He married Ana Llona Cruchaga on 12 September 1941, with whom he had nine children.

Political and public career Irarrázaval managed the «Hacienda Illapel» in Coquimbo Province and became involved in local politics as a member of the Conservative Party, joining its youth faction, which would later evolve into the Falange Nacional (National Falange).

He served as Mayor of Illapel between 1933 and 1937. In the 1937 parliamentary elections, he was elected Deputy for the 4th Departmental Grouping (La Serena, Elqui, Coquimbo, Ovalle, Combarbalá, and Illapel) for the legislative period 1937–1941. After completing his term, he temporarily withdrew from political activity.

He returned to Congress after the 1957 elections, once again representing the same constituency until 1961. During this term, he was a member of the Permanent Commission on Medical-Social Assistance and Hygiene.

Beyond parliamentary life, he served as President of the «Fundación de Viviendas y Asistencia Social» (1961–1964) and Director of the Division of «Promoción Popular» (1961–1970). Following the 1973 Chilean coup d'état, Irarrázaval retired from public life.

Death He died in Santiago on 16 November 1995, aged 83.