Guillermo Billinghurst
Guillermo Enrique Billinghurst Angulo (ie. William Henry Billinghurst) (Arica, July 27, 1851 – Iquique, June 28, 1915) was a Peruvian politician of English descent who served as the 37th President of Peru. He succeeded Augusto B. Leguía, from 1912 to 1914. An Anglo-Peruvian Billinghurst's surname is a locational name 'of Billinghurst' a parish in Sussex, England.
Guillermo Billinghurst | |
|---|---|
| 37th President of Peru | |
| In office September 24, 1912 – February 4, 1914 | |
| Prime Minister | Elías Malpartida Enrique Varela Vidaurre Federico Luna y Peralta Aurelio Sousa Matute |
| Vice President | Roberto Leguía Miguel Echenique |
| Preceded by | Augusto B. Leguía |
| Succeeded by | Óscar R. Benavides |
| President of the Senate | |
| In office 28 July 1896 – 28 July 1897 | |
| Preceded by | Manuel Pablo Olaechea |
| Succeeded by | Manuel Candamo |
| First Vice President of Peru | |
| In office 8 September 1895 – 8 September 1899 | |
| President | Nicolás de Piérola |
| Preceded by | Vacant (Last held by César Canevaro in 1895) |
| Succeeded by | Isaac Alzamora |
| Senator from Tacna | |
| In office 28 July 1895 – 28 July 1899 | |
| Preceded by | Manuel Pablo Olaechea |
| Succeeded by | Manuel Candamo |
| Member of the Chamber of Deputies | |
| In office 28 July 1878 – 28 July 1880 | |
| Constituency | Tarapacá Province |
| Personal details | |
| Born | Guillermo Enrique Billinghurst Angulo July 27, 1851 Arica, Peru |
| Died | June 28, 1915 (aged 63) Iquique, Chile |
| Political party | Democratic Party of Peru |
| Relatives | Susana Ferrari Billinghurst (cousin) |
| Profession | Entrepreneur |
During his presidency, Billinghurst became embroiled in an increasingly bitter series of conflicts with Congress, a liberal, he proposed and attempted to pass an advanced social legislation in favour of the working-classes. This was blocked by the conservative and oligarchic factions in the Peruvian Congress, whereupon Billinghurst attempted to call fresh elections. Whereupon these same Conservative factions now called upon the Peruvian military led by Óscar R. Benavides, to carry out a coup. As a result of the coup, which resulted in Benavides becoming President, Billinghurst was sent into exile in Chile where he died shortly thereafter.