Joaquim José Machado

Joaquim José Machado (24 September 1847 in Lagos – 22 February 1925 in Lisbon), locally known as Conselheiro (Councillor) Joaquim Machado or Major Machado GCC • GOA • ComA • OSE, was a military officer, engineer and a Portuguese politician.

Biography He was born in the city of Lagos, on 24 September 1847.

Career After completing his engineering studies, he enlisted in the army in October 1869. He was promoted to sub-lieutenant by 1873, lieutenant in 1875, captain in 1876, major in 1887, lieutenant colonel in 1892 and colonel on November 21, 1895, before being promoted to general.

Death He died in Lisbon, on 22 February 1925.

Honours He was awarded the Order of Aviz and decorated with the Military Order of Saint James of the Sword.

In 1953, the Sociedade de Geografia de Lisboa (Lisbon Geographic Society) installed a bust of Machado, by sculptor Raul Xavier in its headquarters. Similar commemorative plaques or busts were installed in various locations, including a plaque on the house where he was born, a bust in a square in the city of Lagos, and on 24 October 1895, a street in São Sebastião was named the ex-governor. In Angola, three monuments were erected in his honor, with the city of Camacupa, originally named after him. The South African region, through which the Lourenço Marques to Pretoria railway line passed, was named Machadodorp (that combined his name and the 'dorp' place name, signifying small town in Afrikaans).