Manuel Muñoz Cornejo

Manuel Muñoz Cornejo (27 January 1890 – 15 April 1959) was a Chilean lawyer, academic, and politician.

A member of the Chilean conservative movement, he served as a Senator of the Republic between 1937 and 1953, and previously as a Deputy between 1924 and 1937.

Early life and education Muñoz Cornejo was born in Valparaíso, Chile. He completed his primary and secondary education at the Liceo Eduardo de la Barra and the Sacred Hearts School of Santiago. He later studied law and qualified as a lawyer in 1912.

He married Laura Poisson Fontaine, a granddaughter of former Supreme Director and President Ramón Freire Serrano.

He worked as a professor of Mining Law and Public Administration at the Sacred Hearts School, combining academic activity with legal practice.

Political career Muñoz Cornejo was first elected as a Deputy in 1924, representing the 6th Departmental Electoral District, comprising Valparaíso, Quillota, Limache, and Casablanca.

He was re-elected in subsequent terms, serving continuously until 1937. During his time in the Chamber, he served on several standing committees, including War and Navy, Foreign Relations, Justice and Legislation, and Finance. He held the office of Vice President of the Chamber of Deputies between 30 November 1931 and 10 May 1932.

In 1937, he was elected Senator for the 3rd Provincial Constituency of Aconcagua and Valparaíso. He was re-elected in 1945, serving until 1953.

As a Senator, he was a member of the Standing Committees on National Defense and on Constitution, Legislation and Justice. Within the Conservative Party, Muñoz Cornejo held several leadership positions, including Secretary and President of the party in Valparaíso, as well as member of its National Executive Committee.

He died in Viña del Mar on 15 April 1959, aged 69.