The Many Faces of John James Barnard in Chile: Commerce, Politics and Cultural Mediation in the Independence Era, 1813–1829

By studying and closely examining the actions of John James Barnard in Chile, we can understand his complex relationship with the Chilean government and society. His close association with Bernardo O’Higgins, his many involvements as an advisor within the government and its different roles with many government-created entities, his role as a merchant and as representative of them, and his role as an agent of the British and Foreign Bible Society show us a very complex and dynamic character that developed in the early stages of Chilean independence. Throughout the life and many roles of John James Barnard, it is possible to review and understand the intricate relationship between Chile and Great Britain and how that relationship shaped the country during the post-independence era. The participation of certain actors – like John James Barnard – was crucial in strengthening some beneficial policies for the British merchants, encouraging the steady influx of hundreds of traders into Chile through the 1820s.