He was a prominent parliamentarian and
Peer of the Realm, Attorney-General of the Crown, Minister of Public Works, of
Finance and Foreign Affairs as well as uncontested leader of the Regenerator Party, holding the position of
President of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) thrice (22 February 1893 – 7 February 1897, 25 June 1900 – 20 October 1904 and 20 March 1906 – 19 May 1906). He was one of the dominant politicians of the final part of the
Portuguese Constitutional Monarchy, occupying the post of Prime Minister longer than any other in his time. He was responsible for important reforms - some of which are still valid - such as the insular autonomy for the Azores and
Madeira islands (1895), the pharmacies' law, and forest's law (1901). He was made effective Councillor of State in 1891, received many decorations, among them the Great-Cross of the
Order of the Tower and Sword. He was associate of the
Royal Academy of Sciences. A street in Ponta Delgada has been named in his honor. ==References==