Alberto Coddou
Alberto Coddou | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Minister of Education | |
| In office 3 October 1932 – 24 December 1932 | |
| President | Abraham Oyanedel (acting) |
| Preceded by | Luis Cruz Ocampo |
| Succeeded by | Domingo Durán |
| Personal details | |
| Born | 12 August 1875 |
| Died | 17 February 1947 (aged 71) |
| Party | Radical Party |
| Spouse | María Binimelis |
| Children | 10 |
| Education | Curso Fiscal de Leyes |
| Profession | Lawyer |
Alberto Coddou Ortíz (12 August 1875 – 19 February 1947) was a Chilean lawyer, academic, politician and public official.[1]
He was one of the founders of the University of Concepción and served as the first dean of its Faculty of Legal and Social Sciences, established in 1929. He also served as Minister of Education in 1932 and as president of the State Defense Council from 1942 until his death in 1947.[2]
Early life
[edit]Coddou was born in Concepción, Chile, on 12 August 1875. His parents were Francisco Javier Coddou Trotobas, a hotel entrepreneur of French origin, and Beatriz Ortíz Ojeda. His brother was physician René Coddou.[2]
He studied at the Liceo de Concepción and subsequently attended the Curso Fiscal de Leyes, qualifying as a lawyer in December 1898. His undergraduate thesis was entitled El plazo i la condición en las promesas de celebración de contratos.[2]
In 1900, Coddou married María Binimelis Hidalgo, with whom he had ten children: María Beatriz, Luisa, Adriana, Alberto, Elena, Jorge, Graciela, Gabriela, Florencia and Víctor. Their son Alberto Coddou Binimelis followed his father into the legal profession and studied law at the newly established University of Concepción, graduating in 1930.[2]
Together with his classmate Humberto Enríquez, he received the Premio de Ambrossy, now known as the Premio Universidad de Concepción, in recognition of their academic performance.[2]
Academic career
[edit]Coddou taught mathematics at the Liceo de Concepción and political economy and administrative law at its Curso Fiscal de Leyes. He continued to teach the latter subjects at the University of Concepción until 1939.[2]
In 1915, he was appointed the first vice-president of the Instituto de Abogados de Concepción, the predecessor of the city's bar association.[2]
In 1917, Coddou joined Enrique Molina Garmendia and other prominent figures from Concepción in establishing the Comité Pro Universidad y Hospital Clínico, an initiative that contributed to the foundation of the University of Concepción on 14 May 1919.[2]
Following the abolition of the Curso Fiscal de Leyes in 1928, Coddou, Julio Parada Benavente and other lawyers advocated for its incorporation into the University of Concepción. When the university's Faculty of Legal and Social Sciences was established in 1929, Coddou was elected its first dean. He was subsequently re-elected and remained dean until 1939.[2]
In June 1935, he was elected president of the Colegio de Abogados de Concepción.[2]
Political career
[edit]A member of the Radical Party, Coddou served for many years as president of the party's Concepción assembly.[2]
In October 1932, during the provisional presidency of Abraham Oyanedel, Coddou was appointed Minister of Education. He remained in office until the end of Oyanedel's provisional administration in December 1932.[2]
In June 1939, President Pedro Aguirre Cerda appointed Coddou vice-president of the Corporación de Reconstrucción y Auxilio, the state agency established in the aftermath of the 1939 Chillán earthquake. The position required him to relocate to Santiago, prompting his resignation as dean of the Faculty of Legal and Social Sciences and from his teaching positions at the University of Concepción.[2]
In 1942, Coddou was appointed president of the State Defense Council, a position he held until his death.[2]
Death
[edit]Coddou died in Providencia, Santiago, on 19 February 1947, at the age of 71.[2]
References
[edit]- ↑ Valencia Avaria, Luis (1999). Anales de la República: registros de los ciudadanos que han integrado los Poderes Ejecutivo y Legislativo. Vol. 4. Andrés Bello Publisher.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 11 12 13 14 15 de Ramón Folch, Armando (1999). Biografías de Chilenos: Miembros de los Poderes Ejecutivos, Legislativo y Judicial (1876-1973). Vol. II. Santiago, Chile: Ediciones Universidad Católica de Chile. p. 199.