Osvaldo Hiriart

Osvaldo Hiriart Corvalán (18 February 1895 – 2 November 1982) was a Chilean lawyer and radical politician. He served as a Senator between 1937 and 1945 and as Minister of the Interior during the presidency of Juan Antonio Ríos.

Early life and education Hiriart was born in Talca on 18 February 1895. He was the son of Luciano Hiriart Azócar and Luisa Herminia Corvalán Ramírez.

He completed his secondary education at a liceo in Talca and later at the Internado Nacional Barros Arana in Santiago. He studied law at the University of Chile, qualifying as a lawyer on 6 August 1920. His academic work focused on economic matters.

Professional career Hiriart practiced law primarily in Antofagasta, specializing in mining law. He served as director of the Sociedad Industrial Pesquera de Tarapacá S.A., later as legal counsel of the Corporación de Fomento de la Producción (CORFO), and subsequently as a director of Endesa.

Political career A member of the Radical Party, Hiriart was also affiliated with the Freemasonry, joining the Logia *Deber y Constancia Nº 7* in Santiago.

In the 1937 parliamentary election, he was elected Senator for the constituency of Tarapacá and Antofagasta, serving from 1937 to 1945. During his tenure, he was a member of the Senate Permanent Committee on Constitution, Legislation and Justice, and served on committees related to mining, industrial development, and labour and social welfare.

On 1 September 1943, President Juan Antonio Ríos appointed him Minister of the Interior. As a result, he temporarily vacated his Senate seat, which was filled by Leonardo Guzmán Cortés. He served in the Interior Ministry until 6 October 1944. During this period, he also acted as acting Minister of Labour between April and June 1944.

Personal life Hiriart married Lucía Rodríguez Auda. Among their children was Lucía Hiriart, later married to Augusto Pinochet. He was also the uncle of architect Mario Hiriart.

Death Osvaldo Hiriart Corvalán died in Santiago on 2 November 1982, aged 87.