Almeida, Antônio josé de

(1866-1929)

   Leading political figure in the First Republic, stalwart of republican politics, and the only president of the republic to serve a full term of office during that political experience (1910-26). Like a number of the leading political figures of his generation, Almeida was educated at Coimbra University's medical school and was a staunch republican opponent of the monarchy. Almeida was reputedly the finest speaker and debater of the republican leaders. When the provisional government was named following the Republican Revolution of 5 October 1910, Almeida was included. Compared to Afonso Costa, a moderate republican, Almeida was involved in the fragmenting of the Republican Party (PRP) in 1911-12 and formed an alternate Republican Party, the Evolutionist Republican Party (PRE) or Evolutionists. Almeida headed one government as prime minister (1916-17), but rapidly became exhausted and disillusioned by the First Republic's unstable, ineffective politics and government. After the assassination of Sidónio Pais in late 1918, and the failed right-wing revolution of 1919, Almeida declared himself nonpartisan and his party, the PRE, was dissolved. Loyal to the idea of the republic, however, Almeida wished to serve in some capacity. Due to his image of being above the political fray, he was elected by the congress as president of the republic and served his full term (1919-23). Prematurely aged by the experience, he withdrew from politics and died in Lisbon in 1929.

   See also Political parties.