Manuel Blanco Encalada

Manuel José Blanco y Calvo de Encalada (Latin American Spanish: [maˈnwel ˈβlaŋko eŋkaˈlaða]; April 21, 1790 – September 5, 1876) was a vice-admiral in the Chilean Navy, a political figure, and Chile's first President (Provisional) (1826).

In this Spanish name, the first or paternal surname is Blanco and the second or maternal family name is Calvo de Encalada or simply Encalada.

Manuel Blanco Encalada
Provisional President of Chile
In office 9 July 1826 (1826-07-09) – 9 September 1826 (1826-09-09)
Vice President	Agustín Eyzaguirre
Preceded by	Ramón Freire (as Supreme Director of Chile)
Succeeded by	Agustín Eyzaguirre
Personal details
Born	(1790-04-21)21 April 1790 Buenos Aires, Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata
Died	5 September 1876(1876-09-05) (aged 86) Santiago, Chile
Nationality	Chilean
Party	Independent
Other political affiliations	Affiliated with the Pipiolos
Spouse	Carmen Gana López ​ (m. 1818)​
Signature
Military service
Battles/wars	Peninsular War Capture of the Rosily Squadron Siege of Cádiz Chilean War of Independence First Battle of Cancha Rayada Second Battle of Cancha Rayada Battle of Maipú Battle of Bellavista Peruvian War of Independence Second siege of Callao War of the Confederation Chilean Civil War of 1851

Biography

Born in Buenos Aires, then the capital of the Viceroyalty of the Río de la Plata, Blanco Encalada was the son of the Spaniard Manuel Lorenzo Blanco Cicerón and the Chilean Mercedes Calvo de Encalada y Recabarren. He received his naval training in Spain.

During the Chilean War of Independence, he joined the Chilean patriot forces, serving under Lord Cochrane, and took part in several naval operations. He rose to the rank of vice admiral and, in 1825, commanded the Chilean forces that participated in the campaign leading to the capture of Chiloé.

In 1826, Congress elected him to the newly established office of President of the Republic. His brief administration was marked by conflicts with Congress, which sought to implement a federalist system. Facing increasing political tensions and lack of agreement, he resigned after two months in office.

Later, he took part in the war against the Peruvian-Bolivian Confederation and in the Spanish–South American War (1865–1866). After these conflicts, he served as governor of Valparaíso and as Chilean minister to France. He was also an active Freemason.^[1]

Blanco Encalada died in Santiago de Chile at the age of 86.

Cabinet

The Blanco Encalada Cabinet
Office	Name	Term
President	Manuel Blanco Encalada	9 July 1826–9 September 1826
Minister of Government & Foreign Affairs	Ventura Blanco Encalada	8 March 1826–20 October 1826
Minister of War & Navy	José María Novoa	8 March 1826–21 June 1826
	Tomás Obejero	21 June 1826–26 September 1826
Minister of Finance	Manuel José Gandarillas	8 March 1826–12 September 1826

See also

• See Chilean ship Blanco Encalada for the ships named in honor of Manuel Blanco Encalada.
• Ventura Blanco Encalada
• Biography (in Spanish)