MONT Manuel (Montt Manuel)

(1809-1880)
Born Sept. 8, 1809 in Petorca Province. He graduated from the Faculty of the National Institute in Santiago, in 1835-1840 was the rector of the institution. Since 1837 employee of the Ministry of the Interior, in 1840 a deputy and later chairman of the Congress. During the reign of President Manuel Bulnes Montt was appointed Minister of Internal Affairs and Minister of Justice. In 1851 he was elected president of Chile.
Re-elected to a second term, Mont rules until 1861. During his reign, has been intense construction of roads (including railroad Santiago - Valparaiso), developed telegraph network and the Shipping. The government encouraged the immigration and colonization of the southern regions. Mont reformed civil code, replaced the tithe income tax, abolished majorats, set up several large banks. Built over 500 schools, making Chile took the leading position in South America by level of education. At the end of his term Montt took over as chairman of the Supreme Court. He died in Santiago Montt September 20, 1880.