Gonçalves de Freitas (Councillor António)
Original title: Gonçalves de Freitas (Conselheiro António)
Conselheiro António Gonçalves de Freitas (1827–1875), from Ponta Delgada, was a lawyer, journalist and deputy for Madeira who became a leading authority on public finance in Lisbon.
He was born in the parish (freguesia) of Ponta Delgada (‘slender point’) on 5 December 1827, the son of Captain António Joaquim Gonçalves de Freitas and Eulália Cândida de Freitas, and died in Lisbon on 14 July 1875. He graduated in law from the University of Coimbra (Universidade de Coimbra) in 1848, having earned several distinctions and shown himself a highly talented and diligent student. From 1852 to 1860 he practised as a lawyer in Funchal and devoted himself to politics and journalism. He was deputy for Madeira in the three legislatures from 1860 to 1865. Settling in the capital, he held several public offices there, among them that of director-general of direct taxation. He was regarded as a great authority on the administration of public finance, in which he specialised. More than once he was invited to take a ministerial portfolio, at a time when not everyone could aspire to one, but he always refused to accept a post of such great responsibility. He enjoyed great prestige in Lisbon, not only for his intellectual gifts and acknowledged competence but also for the austere qualities of character that ennobled his spirit. He was one of the most distinguished Madeirans of the 19th century.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 05-
António Gonçalves de Freitas was born in Ponta Delgada.
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António Joaquim Gonçalves de Freitas graduated in law at Coimbra.
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António Joaquim Gonçalves de Freitas practised law, politics and journalism in Funchal.
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António Gonçalves de Freitas served as deputy for Madeira in three legislatures.
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Conselheiro António Gonçalves de Freitas died in Lisbon.
Place
Places mentioned · 04
Abroad
- Funchal
Where he practised law 1852–1860.
The capital of the archipelago and seat of the principal captaincy, where settlement began; it was made a vila c.1451–52. Its bay, the widest in the archipelago, lies between Ponta do Garajau and Ponta da Cruz and offers sheltered anchorage, though its harbour had never been studied oceanographically. The Elucidário discusses it as a health resort with climate data and records the January 1906 disturbances, the Danish prince's visit in May 1846 and recent volcanic cones in the area.
- Lisbon
Portugal. Where he settled, held office and died.
The Portuguese capital, seat of the Relação court and of the Misericórdia whose privileges and statutes were extended to Funchal. Henrique Franco de Sousa studied at its Royal Academy of Fine Arts, and Luiz José Baiardo moved there in 1821.
- Ponta Delgada
São Vicente. Parish of his birth.
Ponta Delgada is a parish on Madeira's north coast, one of the three parishes of the concelho of São Vicente, with a headland and a small fishing harbour. Its feast of Senhor Jesus is a great pilgrimage of vows, and it was the seat of a capitania-mor. It recorded 409 cholera deaths in 1856.
- University of Coimbra
Portugal. University where he graduated in law.
The University of Coimbra, in mainland Portugal, was supported by Madeira through tithes and attended by many Madeirans. Several of them graduated there, mostly in law, and others, such as António da Gama and Vitúrio Lopes Rocha, also taught there. Júlio Augusto Henriques held its chair of botany.
People
People mentioned · 02- António Joaquim Gonçalves de Freitas1827–1875
Madeiran lawyer and deputy for Madeira (1860–65), later director-general of direct taxation in Lisbon.
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Mother of Conselheiro António Gonçalves de Freitas.