Montt, Manuel (1809–1900)

Chilean president 1851–61. He was a hardliner who promoted economic development, especially railway building, the telegraph, postal services, and gas lighting. His final years in office saw economic recession and political turmoil, including clashes between church and state.

Partly self-educated, Montt became rector of the Instituto Nazional 1835, and while serving as minister of education 1841–45 he offered support to the great reformer Domingo Faustino Sarmiento, then in exile.