Background
Guillermo Billinghurst was born on 27 July 1851 in Arica before that city was surrendered to Chile after the War of the Pacific (1879-1883).
government official politician president
Guillermo Billinghurst was born on 27 July 1851 in Arica before that city was surrendered to Chile after the War of the Pacific (1879-1883).
During the War of the Pacific (1879-1883) , because of close collaboration with Nicolás de Pierola, Billinghurst was appointed chief of the Army General Staff, although only a colonel of the reserves. His wealth financed Pierola’s successful uprising against the government of General Andrés A. Cáceres. During the Pierola administration (1895-1899), Billinghurst served as vice president, senator, president of the Senate, and minister to Chile.
When his friendship with Pierola declined, Billinghurst competed for leadership of the Democratic Party, founded by Pierola in 1884. During the period he served as mayor of Lima (1909-1910), Billinghurst supported important municipal actions in favor of the working class. On September 24, 1912, he was elected president. Shortly after, he died in exile in Iquique, Chile.