Francisco Luís Gomes

Francisco Luís Gomes (; ; 31 May 1829 – 30 September 1869) was a Portuguese surgeon, writer, historian, economist, political scientist and MP in the Portuguese parliament. A classical liberal by political orientation, Gomes represented Margão in the Cortes Gerais from 1861 to 1869. His outstanding contributions towards the fields of classical liberal philosophy and economics led him to be widely hailed as "The Prince of Intellectuals" in Europe.

Early life

Francisco Luís Gomes was born on 31 May 1829 in the Colmoroddo vaddo (deanery of a parish) of Navelim village in Salcette concelho, the son of a Goan Catholic Chardo couple, Francisco Salvador Gomes and Deodata Furtado. His father was a physician and civic leader. In 1860, he stood for election in the Portuguese parliament Cortes Gerais from the constituency of Margão. His first speech in parliament made him renowned as a great orator and parliamentarian. He campaigned to ameliorate the conditions of his constituents and his efforts towards this end succeeded in placing colonial public servants on equal standing as public servants in Portugal. In 1861, Gomes wrote his first work; a 34-page treatise on the subject in French entitled "De la question du cotton en Angleterre et dans les possessions portugaises d' Afrique Occidentale" (The issue of cotton in England and the Portuguese possessions of West Africa). This work earned him recognition in Europe as an eminent economist. He also advocated the sale of all public lands, as well as those that belonged to religious institutions.

A third work published in French in 1867, Essai sur la théorie de l'économie politique et de ses rapports avec la morale et le droit (Essay on the theory of political economy and its relationship with morality and the law) was widely praised by European economists. which focused on the practise of caste-based discrimination in India, particularly of untouchability among the Hindus. In it, Gomes also alluded to the anti-colonial uprisings by the Ranes in Goa in the statement: "Impartial men who are moved by justice and not by racialism want India to be ruled by Indians". He also criticised the European nations for their perceived lack of adherence to Christian values.

Gomes' other notable works included a biography written in Portuguese of the brigadiers Henrique Carlos Henriques and Joaquim Xavier Henriques, and in French of Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st Marquess of Pombal (1869).

Gomes was a Romanticist who cherished the concept of liberty.

Death In 1869, Gomes was afflicted with a debilitating illness and his body began to waste. He hoped to spend his remaining days in Goa, and left Europe for British India by the S.S. Messalia on 25 September. 36 hours after entering the Atlantic Ocean, he died on board the ship on 30 September, aged 40. Portuguese writer Júlio Dantas wrote about Gomes' legacy:

Legacy Gomes' home in Margão, Goa lies in disrepair with members of the public, historians and citizens alike, asking the local government to aid its preservation. However, the house continues to be neglected despite the concerns expressed by members of the community who bring up this matter repeatedly and especially on the occasion of the commemorations of the anniversaries of Gomes' birth and death.