Jardim de Oliveira (António) 1Career and public service
Jardim de Oliveira (António)
Biography of António Jardim de Oliveira (1858–1926), a lawyer from São Vicente who served as deputy for Madeira and for nearly three decades as secretary-general of the Funchal civil government, often acting as head of the district. He was removed in 1917 after ordering maize landed during the wartime food crisis, prompting large public demonstrations in his support.
1Career and public service
He was born in the parish (freguesia) of São Vicente on 7 June 1858 and graduated in law from the University of Coimbra (Universidade de Coimbra) in 1883. For some years he practised as a lawyer in Funchal and held various public-service appointments here in Madeira. He also taught law at the Funchal lyceum (state secondary school).
On 30 March 1890 he was elected to represent Madeira in the Cortes (Portuguese parliament) for the legislative session of 1890 to 1892.
Appointed Secretary-General of the Civil Government of Funchal in 1890, he gave up active practice as a lawyer and devoted himself almost exclusively to his official duties. Until 1919, the year in which he retired, he was called upon countless times to act as head of the district in the absence, unavailability or incapacity of the civil governors.
2The 1917 food crisis and later life
Although we have made it our rule to refrain from praising the living, we cannot fail to mention the distinguished services that Councillor (conselheiro, honorary title of the royal council) Dr Jardim de Oliveira rendered to Madeira, above all during the grave food-supply crisis that this island suffered as a result of the European war. To ward off the spectre of famine, he ordered several tonnes of maize to be unloaded from a Portuguese vessel that had arrived at our port in early August 1917. This act was not approved by the higher authorities, and Colonel Sousa Rosa was at once appointed Civil Governor and Military Commander, so that Councillor Jardim de Oliveira gave up the leadership of the district. The affair caused the deepest displeasure among all the inhabitants of this island, and on 7 and 9 August two imposing demonstrations of esteem and sympathy were held for Councillor Jardim de Oliveira. They carried the highest significance, because countless people of every social class joyfully took part in them, without distinction of sect or party.
After obtaining his retirement, Councillor Jardim de Oliveira lived for some time in Lisbon. Having returned to Funchal in 1921, however, he practised here as a lawyer, a profession from which his official duties had kept him somewhat apart. He died in Funchal on 31 May 1926.
In this article
Time
Years mentioned · 07-
António Jardim de Oliveira was born in São Vicente.
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António Jardim de Oliveira graduated in law from Coimbra University.
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António Jardim de Oliveira was appointed secretary-general of the Funchal civil government.
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António Jardim de Oliveira was elected deputy for Madeira for the 1890–1892 session.
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As acting head of the district, António Jardim de Oliveira ordered maize unloaded from a Portuguese ship to avert famine; the act was disapproved and he was replaced by Colonel Sousa Rosa, prompting large demonstrations of support in Funchal on 7 and 9 August.
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António Jardim de Oliveira retired from the civil government.
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António Jardim de Oliveira returned to Funchal and resumed practising law.
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Jardim de Oliveira died in Funchal.
Place
Places mentioned · 04
Abroad
- Funchal
Where he practised law, served in office and died.
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 lived for a time after retiring.
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.
- São Vicente
Birthplace of Jardim de Oliveira.
São Vicente is described as the largest and most populous parish of northern Madeira and the seat of the only town on the north coast. The Elucidário covers its settlement, church history, localities and landscape, and the deadly landslide of 1929.
- University of Coimbra
Portugal. Where he graduated in law in 1883.
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 Jardim de Oliveira1858–1926
Madeiran lawyer, deputy and long-serving secretary-general of the Funchal civil government, subject of this entry.
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Colonel appointed civil governor and military commander of Funchal in August 1917, replacing Jardim de Oliveira as head of the district.