Saavedra Lamas, Carlos, 1878-1959

Carlos Saavedra Lamas (b. Nov. 1, 1878, Buenos Aires, Argentina–d. May 5, 1959, Buenos Aires, Argentina) was an academic, politician, and the first Latin American to receive the Nobel Peace Prize (1936). He attended the University of Buenos Aires and later taught law and history at the University of La Plata. Saavedra Lamas was a leading academic in fields of labor legislation and international law. His career in politics began in politics in 1906. He was elected to Parliament (1908), and served as foreign minister (1932-1938). His help ending the Chaco War between Paraguay and Bolivia earned him international acclaim. He was elected president of the League of Nation in 1936.