Duncan Stewart (Uruguayan politician)

Duncan Antonio Stewart Agell (1833 – 1923), was a Uruguayan president of Scottish Argentine origin. He served as interim President of Uruguay for a brief time in 1894.

Duncan Antonio Stewart Agell
President of Uruguay
Interim
In office
March 1, 1894 – March 21, 1894
Preceded byJulio Herrera y Obes
Succeeded byJuan Idiarte Borda
37th President of the Senate
In office
1891–1891
Preceded byAgustín de Castro
Succeeded byTomás Gomensoro Albín
Personal details
Born1833
Buenos Aires, Argentine Confederation
Died1923 (aged 89–90)
Montevideo, Uruguay
Political partyColorado
SpouseDelfina García Vargas
Children8

Family background

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He was the son of a marriage between Scotsman Duncan Stewart (of Acharn) and Uruguayan Dorotea Agell. Little is known about his life, but it is known he was born in Buenos Aires, Argentina in 1833. His niece Matilde Pacheco married José Batlle y Ordóñez, who was later to become a long-serving Uruguayan President. His grand-nephews César Batlle Pacheco and Lorenzo Batlle Pacheco each served as a Deputy and Senator, and Rafael Batlle Pacheco was a notable journalist.

Early political career

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Later he moved to Uruguay, where he worked as a civil servant and later as a politician. He served as the Minister of Finance in the administration of Lorenzo Batlle from 1869 to 1872. In 1890 he was elected Senator. He served as the President of the Senate of Uruguay in 1891 and 1894.[1]

He was a member of the Colorado Party (Uruguay).

President of Uruguay (interim)

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The presidential election of 1894 resulted in a political crisis. For twenty-one days (between March 1 and March 21) none of the candidates received the necessary 45 votes to become president. During this time, Stewart, president of the Senate, exercised power as President of Uruguay.

Finally, Stewart ceded the office to Juan Idiarte Borda who won the presidency with 47 votes, but who was to be assassinated while President.

Post-Presidency

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He served as the President of the Chamber of Deputies of Uruguay in 1896.[2] Later, Stewart opposed the grab of power by Juan Lindolfo Cuestas and was not active in politics from that time.

He married Delfina García Vargas and had eight children with her. Duncan Stewart died in 1923, having lived through practically all of Uruguay's post-independence history.

See also

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References

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  1. ^ PRESIDENCIA DE LA ASAMBLEA GENERAL Y DEL SENADO PRESIDENCIA DE LA CAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES (October 29, 2013). "Parlamentarios Uruguayos 1830-2005" (PDF). www.parlamento.gub.uy. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2013.
  2. ^ PRESIDENCIA DE LA ASAMBLEA GENERAL Y DEL SENADO PRESIDENCIA DE LA CAMARA DE REPRESENTANTES (October 29, 2013). "Parlamentarios Uruguayos 1830-2005" (PDF). www.parlamento.gub.uy. Archived from the original (PDF) on October 29, 2013.
Political offices
Preceded by President of Uruguay
Acting

1894
Succeeded by