Career
Born as the son of João Maurício Vanderlei, a Dutch descendant, and Francisca Antónia do Livramento, of Portuguese ancestry. He graduated from the University of Olinda in 1837 with a Bachelor"s degree in Law and was Marine Minister, Farm Minister, External Minister and Justice Minister of Brazil. He was also President of the Senate of Brazil from 1882 to 1885 and Prime Minister of Brazil from 1885 until 1888 and president of the Banco do Brasil.
Wanderley was responsible for the approvement of the Saraiva-Cotejipe Law in 1885, which granted freedom to slaves who were older than 60 years old.