Manuel Candamo Iriarte (1841-1904) was a Peruvian jurist, teacher, politician and industrialist, who participated in the most important political events of the late 19th century in Peru. He was born in Lima, from a wealthy family. He received a careful education in schools in the city of Lima, studies that he completed in Europe and several countries in Asia.
He was a peaceful and balanced man, with solid ethical values, a lover of reading, who liked to spend time with family and friends. Early riser and hard worker, he was a member of several social and political movements of his time that played a leading role in the history of Peru..
He had a short career in journalism, which he could not continue for long due to his critical position against factors of power. A staunch fighter against oppressive governments, he was several times in exile, although he always returned to Peru to continue his social struggle..
Despite having fortune and privileges, he personally fought against foreign invasions, such as the Chilean invasion of 1876. In addition to being involved in many popular conflicts that were aimed at fighting authoritarian or dictatorial governments.
He became President of the Republic twice, both for short periods. The first time on an interim basis in a provisional Government Board in 1895. On the second occasion by popular decision in 1903.
However, his fragile health prevented the culmination of his mandate, dying in 1904 at 62 years of age, 8 months after starting his government term..
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Manuel González de Candamo e Iriarte, was born in Lima on December 14, 1841, into a wealthy family. For several historians it was the richest family in Peru at the time.
He was the son of Pedro González de Candamo y Astorga, of Chilean origin, and María de las Mercedes Iriarte Odría, who descended from a family that owned many lands in the central highlands of Peru..
His father came to the country to fulfill a diplomatic mission representing Chile, together with General San Martín.
Although his father devoted himself more to business activities than to diplomacy, he became involved in the importation of wheat and merchandise from Chile, as well as in the railroad industry. He made a great fortune and remained in Lima with his family until his death.
Manuel Candamo studied at the National School of Our Lady of Guadalupe, where he entered in 1855. He advanced in his studies at the Convictorio de San Carlos and then at the National University of San Marcos, where he obtained his Jurisprudence degree in 1862.
He initially dedicated himself to teaching at the same school where he was trained, teaching courses in arithmetic, literature and religion..
He also worked as a journalist in 1865 in the newspaper "El Comercio". From that rostrum, Candamo was a harsh critic of the government's positions. In particular, of a controversial treaty called Vivanco-Pareja, which for many favored Spain to the detriment of Peruvian interests.
For this reason, President Pezet decided to deport him to Chile. His stay in exile at that time was short, although he continued to support the revolution that finally gained power in Lima in 1866..
After his return, he was appointed secretary of the Peruvian delegation in Chile in 1867. That same year, he left for Europe and Asia, for study purposes. He always remembered this trip with great nostalgia, since he had been impressed by the empire of the Russian Tsars and the cultures of China and Japan..
He returned to Peru in 1872. He joined the Civil Party, which promoted the candidacy for the presidency of Manuel Pardo y Lavelle, who finally won those elections..
On October 23, 1873, he married Teresa Álvarez Calderón Roldán, with whom he had 7 children. His family life was always paramount. A book was published with more than 400 letters sent during exile, to his wife, family and friends, where he expressed his family concern and his great vocation as husband and father..
Two of his daughters became religious. One of them, Teresa Candamo Álvarez-Calderón, who lived between 1875 and 1953, is currently in the process of canonization by the Catholic Church..
During his free time in Lima, he frequented the famous house on Coca Street, near the Plaza de Armas, the National Club and the Union Club, places where a good part of Lima society met, and shared long moments with many friendships.
He was also fond of "rocambor", a popular card game for the time..
He was a serious and business-minded individual. Apart from his active political life, he developed in commercial activities and finance.
He was Director of Banco Anglo Peruano and Banco Mercantil del Peru. In addition, he was President of the Lima Chamber of Commerce.
In the Pardo government, he remained a close collaborator. He was sent to Paris in 1875, on an official mission, to make agreements regarding the foreign debt, which he managed to execute with great success..
Between October and December 1876, he served as Mayor of Lima, during the government administration of Juan Ignacio de Osma. He became a member of the Lima Public Welfare Society in 1877, of which he was president from 1889 to 1892..
Chile declared war on Peru, on April 5, 1876, a conflict that lasted until 1883. A few days after the war began, on April 9, he was appointed a member of the General Administrative Board of War Donations.
He actively participated as a reservist in the famous battle of Miraflores on January 15, 1881, after which he was deported to southern Peru..
In 1882, he was part of the team that had the task of carrying out the dialogue to end the war with Chile, whose Peace Treaty was signed the following year.
In 1884, he was deported again, by his political enemies who were left in command of the country. The following year, presidential elections were held, where his political ally Cáceres won, returning to the public arena.
He was elected Senator in 1886 and reelected in 1990. During that period, he collaborated in the founding of the Constitutional Party. He was President of the Senate 3 times: 1888, 1890 and 1892.
The prevailing political instability and the unpopular handling of foreign debt renegotiation agreements caused many riots and popular demonstrations, which ended with the resignation of the President of the Republic Andrés Avelino Cáceres in 1894..
A short time later, Candamo assumed the Presidency of the Republic temporarily, from March 20 to September 8, 1895.
The main objective was to pacify the country and guide it to a new process of free elections. In 5 months, President Candamo was awarded several important achievements:
In the elections, Nicolás de Piérola, who was also his political ally, belonging to the Civil Party, won. In 1896 he was elected Senator for Lima, where he participated in the establishment of the Sociedad Anónima Recaudadora de Impuestos..
He was re-elected Senator from 1899 to 1902.
In 1903, he carried out his presidential nomination, although he was the only candidate. On September 8, 1903, he began his presidential mandate that only lasted 8 months.
Among the important works of his short government were:
His health had been affected since his hectic electoral campaign, despite the medical recommendation that suggested that he remain at rest. But he quickly weakened with presidential commitments and his busy work schedule..
On April 12, 1904, he traveled to Arequipa, accompanied by his family, following the advice of his doctor to continue treatment in a town with hot springs, near that Peruvian town..
His recovery was never achieved; After 21 days of stay in Arequipa, he died on the morning of May 7, 1904.
The cause of death, according to autopsy data, was "gastric dilation" and "pyloric stenosis", probably caused by cancer..
From Arequipa, his remains were transferred to Lima, where they were buried after several formal acts and the declaration of national mourning for 3 days..
His image and name have always inspired respect and admiration in his fellow citizens, for his dedication to freedom and selfless spirit to strengthen the country..
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