Prudente José de Morais e Barros was a Brazilian lawyer and politician who was the third president of Brazil. He is notable as the first civilian president of the country, the first to be elected by direct popular ballot under the permanent provisions of Brazil's 1891 Constitution, and the first to serve his term in its entirety. His presidency, which lasted from 15 November 1894 until 14 November 1898, was marked by the War of Canudos, a peasant revolt in the northeast of the country that was crushed by the Brazilian Army. He also had to face a break in diplomatic relations with Portugal that was successfully mediated by Queen Victoria of the United Kingdom.
Official portrait, 1894
Morais Family, from left to right: Prudente Filho, Maria Amélia, Adelaide (wife), Paula, Gustavo, Carlota, Maria Teresa, Prudente, Antônio and Julia, c. 1875.
Prudente de Morais (center) as President of the Constituent Congress, presides over the swearing-in of Deodoro da Fonseca as first President of the Republic and of Floriano Peixoto as Vice-President on 26 February 1891, painting by Aurélio de Figueiredo (Republic Museum, Rio de Janeiro).
President Morais shakes hands with King Carlos I of Portugal during the re-establishment of diplomatic relations between Brazil and Portugal after talks mediated by Queen Victoria, 16 March 1895.
The president of Brazil, officially the president of the Federative Republic of Brazil or simply the President of the Republic, is the head of state and head of government of Brazil. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the Brazilian Armed Forces.
President of Brazil
President Hermes da Fonseca waves to the crowd during Inauguration Day parade, 1910
Palácio do Planalto
Palácio da Alvorada
