Agostinho José Freire

Agostinho José Freire ComTE, CvA, GCNSC (28 August 1780 – 4 November 1836 ) was a major of the Portuguese Army, minister and state councilor, a distinguished statesman and advocate of the Liberal cause.

Early life He was born in Évora on August 28, 1780, son of captain Agostinho José Freire, from Vidais and of an unknown mother. While still young, he went to live in Leiria, accompanied by his father. Having completed his early studies there, he went to Lisbon to pursue his education and eventually enrolled at the University of Coimbra. He graduated in Mathematics in 1807, having also studied Philosophy. Pedro named him Minister of War and acting Navy. After having rendered Pedro very important services in organizing the liberal army and preparing the fleet that was to transport him to the Portugal, Freire returned with Pedro and distinguished himself in the military action that followed. (3 March 1832 - 24 September 1834) and Interim Minister of the Marine (3 March - 29 June 1832, 26 July - 15 October 1833) as well as interim Foreign Minister (29 July 1832 - 25 September 1832 and 18 November 1832 - 12 January 1833); Minister of the Marine for a third time (24 September 1834 - 16 February 1835) and then Minister of the Interior (16 February - 27 May 1835) in the Palmela cabinet and again (20 April - 10 September 1836) in the Terceira cabinet.

Honours and distinctions He was awarded the 36th Grand Cross of the Order of Our Lady of the Conception of Vila Viçosa (December 1, 1834); The furious mob tore off his decorations, robbed his valuables, and dumped his body in a common grave at a cemetery. His body was mutilated and stolen, being taken to Prazeres Cemetery. Even after he was buried, his remains were twice dug up by his enemies, so in the end his daughter had a mausoleum built to keep his remains secure.