Manuel Ossa Covarrubias

Manuel Ossa Covarrubias (1878 – 10 March 1969) was a Chilean civil engineer and conservative politician. He served as a member of the Senate of Chile representing O'Higgins and Colchagua between 1937 and 1945.

Early life and education Ossa was born in Santiago in 1878. He was the son of Recaredo Ossa Ossa and Sara Covarrubias Ortúzar.

He was educated at the Colegio de los Sagrados Corazones de Santiago, the Instituto Nacional, and the Colegio San Ignacio. He studied civil engineering at the Faculty of Physical and Mathematical Sciences of the University of Chile, qualifying on 11 June 1900.

He later pursued advanced studies at German universities. His thesis focused on the sewerage and drinking water systems of the city of Concepción.

He married Ana Undurraga García-Huidobro.

Professional career Ossa served as secretary-general of the Directorate of Public Works and as an engineer on the commission responsible for sewerage studies in Santiago.

He was a councillor of the Mortgage Bank of Chile and vice-president of the Chilean Glassworks Company. He later became president of the Compañía Manufacturera de Papeles y Cartones and served on its first board of directors in 1920.

In parallel, he engaged in agricultural activities at the Santa Rosa estate in Cachapoal, focusing on wine and cereal production. He also served as a professor of mathematics at the Pontifical Catholic University of Chile.

Political career Ossa was a member of the Conservative Party.

He was elected Senator for the 5th provincial grouping of O'Higgins and Colchagua in 1937, serving until 1945. During his term, he sat on the Senate committees on Mining and Industrial Development, Agriculture and Colonization, and Public Works.

Other activities Ossa was a founding member of the Institute of Engineers of Chile, later becoming a life member and serving as a director of the organization between 1904 and 1935.

He was also an honorary member of the Club de la Unión.