Agustín Ross facts for kids
Agustín Ross Edwards (born February 5, 1844, in La Serena, Chile – died October 20, 1926, in Viña del Mar, Chile) was an important Chilean politician, a diplomat (someone who represents their country), and a banker (someone who works with money and banks). He was the son of David Ross and Carmen Edwards. He was married to Susana Ferari.
Contents
The Life of Agustín Ross
Early Life and Education
Agustín Ross went to school in La Serena, Chile, at the Carlos Black and Simon Kerr School. Later, he traveled to Scotland and studied at the Queen Street Institution from 1856 to 1860.
Career in Banking and Politics
After his studies, Agustín Ross worked in the banking business of the Edwards family. He became a private agent for the Government Junta of Iquique in London in 1891. This meant he represented them in important financial matters. In February 1892, he became a plenipotentiary minister in Great Britain. This is a high-ranking diplomat who has full power to represent their country.
Agustín Ross was a member of the National Party of Chile. He served as a Senator for the Coquimbo Province between 1897 and 1903. A Senator is a type of politician who helps make laws for the country.
Developing Pichilemu
Around 1890, Ross visited Pichilemu and bought a lot of land there. He saw the potential for this coastal town. In San Fernando, in September 1885, he bought a large property that stretched all the way to the Pichilemu beach.
He decided to build a grand hotel first. This was the Ross Hotel, designed in a European style. He hired Evaristo Merino to manage it. At the same time, Ross started promoting Pichilemu in big cities like Santiago.
Later, he built the famous Ross Casino and the beautiful Ross Park. For these buildings, he used special materials like shards from Italy, strong Oregon pine wood from the United States, and Portland cement.
A Chilean writer once said about his work:
| “ | Mr. Agustín Ross spends his money in Pichilemu, [a place] that will soon become a complete port, just like it is currently, the Chilean Biarritz. | ” |
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— Quote from José Arraño Acevedo's book, Hombres y Cosas de Pichilemu (2003).
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This quote means that Pichilemu was becoming a very popular and beautiful place, similar to Biarritz, a famous resort town in France.
Legacy
Agustín Ross passed away on October 20, 1926, in Viña del Mar. After his death, his family donated many of his properties to the Municipality of Pichilemu. This included his forest, terraces, the park, and other areas. The only condition was that these places should be well-maintained and cared for.
Related pages
- Agustín Ross Cultural Centre
- Agustín Ross Park
- Ross Balcony
See also
In Spanish: Agustín Ross para niños
