EDUARDO LÓPEZ DE ROMAÑA: BIOGRAPHY AND WORKS - HISTORY - 2024

Eduardo López de Romaña (1847-1912) was a Peruvian politician, engineer and businessman who came to occupy the position of constitutional president of Peru during the period from 1899 to 1903. During his mandate the so-called Aristocratic Republic began, which remained until 1919.

Never before in the history of Peru has an engineer held the presidential seat. He was a member of the Civil Party and this resulted in some conflicts in Parliament, caused by small opposition groups.

One of the negative aspects that pointed out López Romaña as weak of character before the opponents was his idea of ​​political reconciliation, in which he proposed that anyone imprisoned for political reasons should be released.

Its civil character oriented its objectives towards the advancement of the nation. Progress and modernization were its main goals, which resulted in the development of basic services such as lighting and communication routes, beginning this work in the capital.

Another of its main objectives was to strengthen the educational system, copying European models and, finally, the American one. Likewise, he focused on achieving the solidity of the Peruvian economy by consolidating its currency.

Within international politics, it resolved territorial problems with neighboring countries (Chile, Ecuador and Bolivia) and managed to establish national sovereignty, preventing other nations from using resources that should mainly benefit Peruvian microentrepreneurs.

Historical context: the Aristocratic Republic

Eduardo López de Romaña starred in part of the most notable events in the history of Peru: the political dominance of the oligarchy backed by the Civilista Party, which focused on finance, mining and agricultural exports.

A political elite emerged, leveraged on the economic power of its members and allies: the oligarchy. It was a model of the State that promoted the development of new economic activities and laid the foundations for the country's progress.

The president initiated strategic alliances with Europe and the United States, which represented the incursion of the nation into modernity.

Biography

He was born on March 19, 1847 in Peru, in the Arequipa region, a city that historically was the center of rebellions. Out of this emerged great religious, political and intellectual personalities; It was awarded the title of "Heroic city of the free of Arequipa."

His parents were Juan Manuel López de Romaña and María Josefa de Alvizuri, who belonged to the high aristocracy of Arequipa.

They were owners of large, very productive farms located in the valleys of the coast, and they were dedicated to agriculture. They also owned farms in the mountainous countryside.

López married María Josefa Castresana García de la Arena, with whom he had three children, named Carlos, Eduardo and Hortencia.

Studies

Eduardo López de Romaña studied at the San Jerónimo Seminary of the White City in Arequipa.

At the age of thirteen, his parents sent him to Europe to Stonyhurt College, London, along with two of his brothers, in order to pursue engineering studies.

He enrolled in the Applied Sciences section at King's College and in 1868 he graduated as an engineer, specializing in the design and laying of iron bridges.

Professional life

He began his professional life by traveling to India, where he began to gain renown and money for his excellent performance. He returned to England and at the age of 25 he was already a member of the Institute of Civil Engineers in London.

The Public Works Construction Company sent him to the Brazilian jungles to supervise the railway works on the Madeira and Mamoré rivers that would link Porto Velho and Guajará-Mirim (1872).

This complex was known as "the devil's railway" due to the number of deaths that occurred during its construction. Those were the years of the prosperous rubber era.

López de Romaña was one of the few professionals sent who saved his life. In 1874 he returned to Europe and after 15 years he returned to Peru to settle in Arequipa.

Military life: the Pacific war

This war took place in the Atacama desert. The countries that participated were Chile, Bolivia and Peru; The former faced the latter two.

Eduardo López de Romaña enlisted in the army and organized the defense strategy to prevent the enemy from landing in the Tambo Valley, holding the rank of general commander of the Vanguard Division.

Political life: progress and modernity

Once the war ended, he was especially involved with the progress and development of Ciudad Blanca.

He provided Arequipa with drinking water, was president of the charity, supported artisans, founded schools and clubs as an engineer, and was elected president of the Patriotic Board of Arequipa.

In 1985 he was elected deputy for Arequipa and then was in charge of the Ministry of Development during Piérola's mandate, proving to be an expert in organizing, promoting and directing appropriate programs for the moment.

After his outstanding work in 1897 as mayor and senator of his native town, his name resonated strongly in the capital of the Republic and, being politically independent, he was proposed as a candidate for the Civil-Democratic Alliance.

Eduardo López de Romaña won the presidency of the republic on September 8, 1899 and began a long period of progress and prosperity for Peru, which lasted until the next two decades, being able to make a government without significant setbacks and culminate his period as few leaders, impeccably.

Death

This character left his political work in 1903 at the end of his term and dedicated himself to working in his agricultural activities.

Eduardo López de Romaña died in his place of origin, Arequipa. The exact date of his death was May 26, 1912.

Plays

-Implemented the national currency, the Gold Standard, to stabilize and strengthen the economy of his country.

-Incorporated the inter-Andean valleys and the eastern zone, which had been isolated for centuries.

-He founded the School of Agriculture, to promote and promote agricultural development.

-Built the railway from La Oroya to Cerro de Pasco.

-It carried out the Estanco de la Sal, with the intention of financing the actions in favor of recovering Arica and Tacna from the territory of Chile.

-Promoted the development of mining, agriculture and industry.

-Promulgated the Water, Commerce and Mining codes.

-He created the company for the collection of state revenues.

-Incorporated Peru to progress and modernization, making it a prosperous nation.

References

1. Eduardo López de Romaña in Histories of Peru. Retrieved on December 10, 2018 from Historias del Perú: historiaperuana.pe
2. Aristocratic Republic on Wikipedia. Retrieved on December 10, 2018 from Wikipedia: wikipedia.org
3. Eduardo López de Romaña in El Peruano. Retrieved on December 10, 2018 from El Peruano: elperuano.pe
4. Biography of Eduardo López de Romaña in The Biography. Retrieved on December 10, 2018 from The Biography: thebiography.us
5. López de Romaña, Eduardo in Encyclopedia. Retrieved on December 10, 2018 from Encyclopedia: encyclopedia.com