LASTARRIA, Jose Vietorino (las-tar'-re-a), Chilian author, born in Rancagua in 1812. From his early youth he applied himself to teaching and journalistic labors, and at the same time composed political works and text books for the colleges where he was employed. In 1838 he was appointed teacher of civil law and literature in the National institute. Associated with other literary men, he was the founder of the journals "El Semanario." "El Crepesculo," "El Siglo," and "La Revista de Santiago," and he has also founded several literary societies. From 1843 he has at different times been elected deputy to the legislature and senator of the republic, and has been president of both chambers. He was appointed minister to Peru in 1863, and in 1864 to La Plata and Brazil, and has been several times secretary of state. In 1873 Lastarria founded in Santiago the Academy of science and literature. His principal works are directed to the teaching of public law, of which science he has been one of the founders in his country. His books include "Elementos de derecho ptiblico constitutional" (Santiago), "Investigaeiones sobre la influencia social de la conquista," "Juiciohistdrico de Diego Portales," "Bosquejo histerico de la constitueidn del gobierno de Chile durante el primer periodo de la revolucion," "Estudios sobre his primeros poetas espafioles," "Historia constitueional del medio siglo," "La America," "Recuerdos de viaje," "Lecciones de geografia moderna, El libro de oro de las escuelas," "Manual de testamentos," and "Lecciones politicas," all published in Santiago.