SERAPIO CALDERÓN: BIOGRAPHY AND PRESIDENCY - HISTORY - 2025

Serapio Calderón (1843-1922) was a Peruvian jurist, teacher and politician, who developed a very prominent political career in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He became President of the Republic of Peru temporarily, after the death of President-in-Office Manuel Candamo Iriarte.

He stood out in his career as a lawyer and legislator, in addition to having exercised university teaching for years, reaching the position of Rector of the San Antonio Abad University in Lima.

By Serapio Calderón (ADONDE.COM), via Wikimedia Commons

His great eloquence and ease of expression were one of his main characteristics. For the time he was praised as the best speaker in the "Imperial City."

His political career took place in the so-called period of the aristocratic Republic, a historical moment of Peru that lasted 20 years, during which time it was ruled for the social and economic elite of the time.

After his short presidential term, he returned to Cuzco where he continued his work in the Judicial Court until his death in 1922.

Biography

Birth and youth

Serapio Calderon Lazo de la Vega was born in Paucartambo, a town located in the province of Cuzco, Peru, on April 3, 1843. His father was Mariano Calderón and his mother Beatriz Lazo de la Vega.

He attended his first studies in Paucartambo, and then continued in the Convictorio de San Jerónimo in the city of Cuzco.

He married on March 25, 1860, in the parish temple of Yanaoca, in Cuzco (Peru), with Margarita Almanza Salas. They were both 18 years old. They had three children: Beatriz, Edelmira and José Guillermo Calderón Almanza.

At the University of San Antonio Abad he graduated from high school on March 9, 1865. Later, on September 22, 1866, he obtained his degree in Law.

He became a Doctor of Jurisprudence at the same university in 1867. In 1868 he managed to obtain a law degree.

Public life

His first public office was obtained in 1870, when he was appointed secretary of the Prefecture of the department of Cuzco. Between 1872 and 1879 he served as a deputy to the National Congress, a position obtained by popular election.

He belonged to the Civil Party, however, his task within that political organization was more of a professional nature, giving advice and consultancies in the legislative field.

He had a great performance in the academic area. He was a professor at the University of San Antonio Abad between 1872 and 1890. There he taught courses on Natural, Constitutional and Peoples' Law.

His outstanding teaching career led him to occupy the position of Rector of that University from 1892 to 1896. In 1866 he held positions in the Superior Court of Justice.

He was elected Prefect of Cuzco in 1890.

Political life

He was appointed second Vice President of the Republic, in the mandate of President Manuel Candamo, which began in 1903.

The first vice president died before taking office and President Candamo became seriously ill, dying 8 months into his mandate.

As President Candamo's health situation worsened, 20 days before his death, he decided to travel to Arequipa and left the mandate in charge of Serapio Calderón.

For the first time in history, a second vice president assumed power in the country.

On April 18, 1904, while Serapio Calderón was in the city of Arequipa, he received the official communication letter from the president of the Council of Ministers and Minister of Foreign Affairs, where the decision was reported in accordance with articles 90 and 91 of the Constitution. in force for the “replacement of the president due to illness for the duration of said impediment”.

He assumed this position in writing on the same day as his official communication. He was ratified in the position of President after the death of Candamo.

His management was aimed at maintaining governance and calling new presidential elections.

Characteristics of his presidency

In his short term as President, he focused on surrounding himself with professionals of recognized trajectory and of his complete confidence. It incorporated Alberto Elmore (as Minister of Foreign Affairs and President of the Council of Ministers) and Engineer José Balta (as Minister of Development) to its Council of Ministers.

Among the outstanding works and reforms we can mention:

• He was a great conciliator in the midst of many political struggles and social instability.
• The construction of the Government Palace and the Palace of Justice began.
• Construction of the Pan-American Highway began, which is still in full operation.
• It improved the exports of some items and supported agriculture.
• Taxes were increased for alcohol.
• On July 28, 1904, he had to face the so-called "Confrontation in Angosteros", which occurred in a border place located north of the Napo River, between the Peruvian and Ecuadorian detachments, the Ecuadorians being defeated.

An anecdote is told of an officer who asked Calderón "if he wanted to perpetuate himself in power." To which he replied: "I prefer my tranquility."

The elections went smoothly. José Pardo y Barreda won, since his opponent Piérola withdrew his candidacy shortly before the elections that were held between August 9-12 of that year.

End of his Presidency

On September 24, 1904, Serapio Calderón ended his presidential term.

In the formal act of handing over the command to Pardo y Barrera, the outgoing president delivered a speech with very emotional words:

"I have had the good fortune that the results of my efforts have corresponded to my patriotic wishes"

“Despite many setbacks typical of the critical period that we have just passed through, I have fulfilled, through the help of Providence, the duties of my office, paying religious respect to the laws, maintaining peace, dedicating myself to increasing our wealth, to the realization of national works of vital importance and constantly ensuring that the honor and dignity of the Republic are preserved unscathed "

His great patriotism and honesty are rescued from his final speech. His genuine intention to contribute and generate an environment of social welfare and justice for his country.

Return to Cuzco

Immediately after handing over the office of President, he returned to his position in the Superior Court of Justice of Cuzco.

He died in Cuzco, on April 3, 1922. His mortal remains were buried in the Almudena Cemetery, Santiago District, in the city of Cuzco.

In 2011 a municipal decree ordered the relocation of the remains of the former president to the so-called “Monumental Zone of the Almudena Cemetery”, where other illustrious figures of Peru rest.

References

1. Congress of the republic. Parliamentary term 2016-2021. Message from the second vice president of Peru, in charge of the executive branch, Serapio Calderón, to the National Congress, on September 24, 1904. In congreso.gob.pe.
2. Chang Laos, Consuelo. (1959). Peru and its men through the Republic. Mejía Baca Bookstore. Peru
3. Herrera Cuntti. (1983). Historical notes of a great city. Chincha Editions, Peru.
4. García Vega, Silvestre. (2016). History of the Presidency of the Council of Ministers. Volume 1 (1820-1956).
5. Holguín Callo, Oswaldo. (1999). History and process of the identity of Peru. The political-social process and the creation of the State. 151-169.
6. Wikipedia contributors. (2017, February 17). Serapio Calderón. In Wikipedia, The Free Encyclopedia. Retrieved 16:32, October 31, 2018.