He was born on the San Jose de Toro estate, Chimbarongo in 1809 and died in the city of Santiago on October 25, 1885.

José Santos Lira Calvo studied at the National Institute, and became a lawyer on April 14, 1832.

He began to figure in politics when he was elected Parliamentary Representative for Talca in 1849 as a Conservative Party member, although on that occasion he did not hold ownership of the office.

He was elected Senator of the National Party for the province of Colchagua (1855–1876), joining during this time the Standing Committee on War and Navy, in addition to the Constitution, Law and Justice.

When he thought of retiring from public life he was called by the government of Anibal Pinto who invited him to be State advisor and head of the office of the Treasury, while Domingo Santa María was appointed as chief accountant of the Currency, a role he held until his death.