Benjamin Constant Botelho de Magalhães

October 18, 1836 (age 54)

Niterói, Amazonas, Brazil

He received an appointment as professor in the Dom Pedro II College and later served as a captain in the Paraguayan War. Upon his return to Rio de Janeiro, Constant was promoted to the rank of colonel and resumed his teaching career. He became a dedicated republican and staunch abolitionist. In 1887 he was one of the founders of the politically powerful Military Club of Rio de Janeiro. Constant was attracted to the Positivist philosophy of Auguste Comte which attempted to offer scientific solutions to many of the social and political problems of the period. Constant was a gifted teacher and had an extraordinary impact on many young cadets who passed through the school. These young men were not the wealthy sons of plantation owners but rather represented an ambitious rising middle class not in tune with the monarchy of Dom Pedro II. Many were deeply impressed with Constant’s support of republican ideas, and he became their idol. He was considered important enough to be at the side of Marshal Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca and Floriano Peixoto when the republic was proclaimed. During the provisional government many of these young army officers, and even senior officials, turned to Colonel Benjamin Constant for advice. He was appointed minister of war in the first Republican cabinet. The provisional government also elevated him to general for his services to the republic. He was offered a senatorial seat from the state of Pará but refused.

Benjamin Constant Botelho de Magalhães Edit Profile

government official politician

Background

Benjamin Constant Botelho de Magalhães was born on 18 October 1836 in Niterói. Benjamin Constant came from an impoverished middle-class family.

Education

He was able to enter the military school attached to the Imperial Court of Dom Pedro II, graduating with highest honors in mathematics.

Career

He received an appointment as professor in the Dom Pedro II College and later served as a captain in the Paraguayan War.

Upon his return to Rio de Janeiro, Constant was promoted to the rank of colonel and resumed his teaching career. He became a dedicated republican and staunch abolitionist. In 1887 he was one of the founders of the politically powerful Military Club of Rio de Janeiro. Constant was attracted to the Positivist philosophy of Auguste Comte which attempted to offer scientific solutions to many of the social and political problems of the period.

Constant was a gifted teacher and had an extraordinary impact on many young cadets who passed through the school. These young men were not the wealthy sons of plantation owners but rather represented an ambitious rising middle class not in tune with the monarchy of Dom Pedro II. Many were deeply impressed with Constant’s support of republican ideas, and he became their idol. He was considered important enough to be at the side of Marshal Manuel Deodoro da Fonseca and Floriano Peixoto when the republic was proclaimed.

During the provisional government many of these young army officers, and even senior officials, turned to Colonel Benjamin Constant for advice. He was appointed minister of war in the first Republican cabinet. The provisional government also elevated him to general for his services to the republic. He was offered a senatorial seat from the state of Pará but refused.

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