About
After overthrowing Emperor Pedro II in an 1889 coup, this military leader established the Republic of Brazil and took office as the country's first president.
Before Fame
Following his military service in both the Praieira Revolt of 1848 and the Paraguayan War of the 1860s and early 1870s, he served as Governor of Rio Grande do Sul.
Trivia
In the early 1890s, facing a potential civil war, he resigned as president.
Family Life
He was born to Manuel Mendes da Fonseca Galvao and Rosa Maria Paulina de Barros Cavalcanti. He later married Mariana da Fonseca.
Associated With
He took power shortly after Isabel Princess Imperial of Brazil (the daughter of Emperor Pedro II) abolished slavery in Brazil.
