Carlos Saavedra Lamas Biography, Life, Interesting Facts

Early life

Carlos Saavedra Lamas was born on November 1, 1878, in Buenos Aires, Argentina. Not much is known about his childhood and family, but his parents are believed to have come from an aristocratic family. In school, he was an exceptional student and had excellent grades. He went to study at the Lacordaire College and later at the University of Buenos Aires. In 1903, he received his doctor of law degree. 

After receiving his law degree, Lamas went to Paris, France to continue his education, but there is no known information about his affiliation with institutes during this time. Upon returning to Argentina, he became a professor at the University of La Plata. 

Beginning of career

 At the University of La Plata, Carlos Saavedra Lamas was a professor of history of constitution and law. He continued to teach at the university for the next four decades. Lamas started his public career in 1906 when he became the Director of Public Credit and was made the secretary general of the Buenos Aires municipality. Just two years later, Lamas became a member of the Argentine parliament. He worked on areas like sugar production, colonization, riparian water rights and the Argentinian foreign policy. Lamas was also working on strengthening the relations with Italy. 

After seven years as a member of the parliament, Lamas became the Minister of Justice and Education. Lamas was a leading legal expert in labor laws. He continuously worked on treatises on this subject. In 1919, he supported the establishment of the International Labor Organization. He also wrote several legislations about labor laws. 

Later years

After establishing the International Labor Organization, Carlos Saavedra Lamas became the leader of its Argentinian chapter. During this time he wrote the treatise “Centre of Social Labor Legislation” and “National Code of Labor Law.” When in 1932, Augustin P. Justo became the President of Argentina, Lamas was appointed the foreign minister. He spent six years on this post. 

During his time as the foreign minister, Lamas had an essential role in ending the Chaco War between Paraguay and Bolivia. He also established the Treaty of Non-aggression between the nations of South America. In 1936, Lamas became the president of the Assembly of the League of Nations. After the end of his term as the foreign minister, Lamas went back to the academia. He began working as the professor of political economy and law at the University of Buenos Aires. In 1941, Lamas became the president of the University of Buenos Aires. 

Personal life

Carlos Saavedra Lamas was married to the daughter of president Roque Saenz Pena. He died on May 5, 1959, in Buenos Aires after suffering from a brain hemorrhage. He was 80 years old at the time. 

Throughout his career, Lamas received various awards and honors. His most prominent award was the Nobel Peace Prize in 1936 for helping to end the Chaco War. He became the first Argentinian to receive this honor. Lamas was also honored with the Grand Cross of the Legion of Honor of France and similar awards from 10 other countries. In 2014, his Nobel medal was found in a pawn shop in South America and was later sold in an auction.