Hermes Ernesto da Fonseca (September 1824 – February 7, 1891) was a Brazilian military officer and politician.

History

Biography

The eldest son of Manuel Mendes da Fonseca (1785–1859) and Rosa Maria Paulina da Fonseca (1802–1873), he was the brother of Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca and father of the future president of the

Brazilian republic Brazil ( pt, Brasil; ), officially the Federative Republic of Brazil (Portuguese: ), is the largest country in both South America and Latin America. At and with over 217 million people, Brazil is the world's fifth-largest country by area an ...

, named after him,

Hermes Rodrigues da Fonseca Hermes Rodrigues da Fonseca (; 12 May 1855 – 9 September 1923) was a Brazilian field marshal and politician who served as the eighth President of Brazil between 1910 and 1914. He was a nephew of marshal Deodoro da Fonseca, the first president ...

. He was also the brother of

Severiano Martins da Fonseca Severiano may refer to: * Severiano Álvarez (1933–2013), Leonese language writer * Severiano Ballesteros (1957–2011), Spanish professional golfer, a World No. 1 *Severiano Sainz y Bencamo (1871–1937), the second Bishop of the Roman Catholic ...

, the

Baron of Alagoa Baron of Alagoa ( pt, Barão de Alagoa) was a noble title created by Queen Maria II of Portugal by decree on 22 December 1841 in favor of José Francisco da Terra Brum, a wealthy merchant and winegrower from the city of Horta, Faial Island, in t ...

. From a military family, he pursued a career as his father and six brothers, serving in the

Paraguayan War The Paraguayan War, also known as the War of the Triple Alliance, was a South American war that lasted from 1864 to 1870. It was fought between Paraguay and the Triple Alliance of Argentina, the Empire of Brazil, and Uruguay. It was the deadlies ...

. After the Proclamation of the Republic he occupied the command of the army troops in

Salvador Salvador, meaning "salvation" (or "saviour") in Catalan, Spanish, and Portuguese may refer to: * Salvador (name) Arts, entertainment, and media Music *Salvador (band), a Christian band that plays both English and Spanish music ** ''Salvador'' ( ...

. Although brother of the new president, it took him along to join the new regime, only accepting it after news of the departure of the

Brazilian imperial family The Brazilian Imperial Family (Brazilian Portuguese: ''Família Imperial Brasileira'') is a Brazilian Dynasty of Portuguese origin that ruled the Empire of Brazil from 1822 in Brazil, 1822 to 1889 in Brazil, 1889, after the proclamation of indepe ...

to Europe. He was an amateur musician, having composed sacred and military songs (such as Polca do Regimento and mazurca Icamacuá). He was married to Rita Rodrigues Barbosa da Fonseca and is buried in the

Caju Cemetery The São Francisco Xavier Cemetery is the largest of the many necropolises that make up the group popularly known as the Caju Cemetery, located in the Caju neighborhood of Rio de Janeiro's North Zone. It is the largest cemetery in the state of Rio ...

President of the Province of Mato Grosso

He was president of the province of

Mato Grosso Mato Grosso ( – lit. "Thick Bush") is one of the states of Brazil, the third largest by area, located in the Central-West region. The state has 1.66% of the Brazilian population and is responsible for 1.9% of the Brazilian GDP. Neighboring ...

from July 5, 1875, to March 2, 1878, appointed by imperial letter of May 1, 1875.

Governor of Bahia

Bahia was one of the last states to join the new regime, succeeding several intervenors who, due to the unstable climate, did not last in the post. Appointed by brother President Hermes da Fonseca, he took over from Manuel Vitorino, who was indisposing with the federal government, staying only five months ahead of the post, stepping down for health reasons, passing the post to the vice-president, Virgílio Clímaco Damásio. He ruled Bahia from April 26 to September 14, 1890, a period in which he sought to calm tempers and consolidate the institutions of the new regime. He revoked several acts of his predecessor, including educational reform.

References

1824 births 1891 deaths {{Brazil-politician-stub