El Ciudadano
Original article: Archivo Central Andrés Bello invita a conocer la tesis con la que Arturo Prat se tituló de abogado en la U. de Chile
Andrés Bello Central Archive Invites You to Explore Arturo Prat’s Law Thesis from the University of Chile
On May 21, Chile celebrates Navy Glory Day, commemorating the Naval Combat of Iquique that took place in 1879, honoring the crew of the corvette «Esmeralda,» led by Arturo Prat, during the Pacific War.
However, many remain unaware that the official hero of the Chilean Navy graduated with a law degree from the University of Chile in 1876.
The prestigious university recalls that Prat, «on July 26, 1876, less than three years before his death, presented his thesis ‘Observations on the Current Electoral Law’ (sic), a study analyzing the 1861 electoral law and its 1874 reform, which expanded voting rights. He made several proposals to uphold the spirit of the law.»
Five days after presenting his thesis, Arturo Prat became the first officer of the Chilean Navy to officially earn a law degree at the age of 28.
The University of Chile emphasizes that Prat practiced law for nearly three years, during which he operated an office in Valparaíso, balancing his law career with his Navy duties. In 1872, while still a student, he was even consulted on the Navigation Bill, leading to several of his amendments being incorporated.
Reprinting a Historic Document
In July 2025, the Andrés Bello Central Archive of the University of Chile reprinted Prat’s thesis as a historic document in celebration of the centenary of the Electoral Qualifying Tribunal (Tricel), showcasing a lesser-known facet of his legacy.
Currently, the archive holds the original text of Prat’s thesis, published by the El Mercurio printing house in Valparaíso in mid-1876, available online on the Electronic Books Portal of the University of Chile (click here).
Additionally, the Faculty of Law at the University of Chile established the «Arturo Prat Attorney Scholarship» in 2026, aimed at recognizing and supporting students who demonstrate academic excellence prior to commencing their university journey.
This scholarship covers the full tuition fee for the first year of university, available to students who rank at the top during the regular admission process to the Law program each year.
In its inaugural edition, recipients included Facundo Molina Ramírez, Martín Streeter Velasco, and Simón Escobar Pérez, who entered the faculty among the top candidates in the 2026 admission process.
To qualify for the scholarship, students must be enrolled in their first year at the Faculty of Law at Casa de Bello, have ranked among the top candidates in the regular admission process, and not hold any other scholarship.
Continue reading about Arturo Prat and May 21:
The Citizen
La entrada Andrés Bello Central Archive Invites You to Explore Arturo Prat’s Law Thesis from the University of Chile se publicó primero en El Ciudadano.
🔥 Ver noticia completa en ElCiudadano.cl 🔥
