Background
He was born in the city of Campinas, São Paulo.
He was born in the city of Campinas, São Paulo.
He graduated as a lawyer from the Faculdade de Direito do Largo de São Francisco, São Paulo, in 1863.
He served as a provincial deputy three times, general-deputy once, and also as minister of justice (1889-1891), senator and governor of São Paulo (1896–1897). The pinnacle of his political career was his election as president of Brazil, an office he held between 1898 and 1902. Austere financial reforms were adopted during his tenure.