Francisco Maria da Cunha

Francisco Maria da Cunha (Angra do Heroísmo, 22 December 1832 – Lisbon, 13 January 1909) was a military, political and Portuguese colonial administrator. Among other prominent roles, he was Governor of Portuguese India and Governor-general of Portuguese Mozambique, deputy and Peer of the realm.

Biography He was born at Fortress of São João Baptista (Angra do Heroísmo), son of Maria Cândida da Franca e Horta and Francisco Jacques da Cunha, one of the Bravos do Mindelo (winners of the Portuguese liberal wars to members of the liberal forces that participated in the Landing at Mindelo) and then major general. He attended the military school between 1842 and 1848, and after this, at 16 years old, joined the Portuguese Army as a volunteer. After attending the Polytechnic School of Lisbon and the Army School (Escola do Exército), on 11 October 1865 he was promoted to lieutenant and began his career as an officer of Infantry.

As an Army officer, he served in the Portuguese colonies of Africa and Oceania. In 1869 he was appointed commander of the Macau Battalion. In 1877 he was appointed Governor-General of Mozambique, a post he held until 1880. During his administration, he dealt effectively with a revolt in Zambezia and took possession of Inhaca, drawing praise from the Portuguese and British governments. In 1891, he was appointed Governor General of Portuguese India, a position he held until 1892.

He was directory of the Military College from 1882 to 1890

He was also Minister of War (1897) and 1st Secretary of the Chairman of José Luciano de Castro (1898); commander of the Army School (now Military Academy, 1895/96 and 1898/1900); Chief of the Military House, Council aide and member of Conselho de Sua Majestade Fidelíssima of King D. Carlos; President of the Portuguese Red Cross (1905/1909), the Montepio Geral and the Lisbon Geographical Society.

He was awarded the degree of Grand Cross of the Order of Aviz and the Commander of the Order of the Tower and Sword and the Order of Christ (Portugal).