Manuel José de Arriaga Brum da Silveira (1840 - 1917) was born in the city of Horta and died in Lisbon. He was the first President of Portugal.
He studied in the university of Coimbra from 1860 to 1865. Member of the Republican Party, he belonged to its directory before 31 January 1891. He was also elected Deputy of the Republican Party by the Island of Madeira, in 1882, charge that he would occupy until 1892. He made amazing speeches that contribued a lot to the Republican Party. Unlike other Republicans, he always had a good relation with the Church.
When elected President, in the year of 1911, he tried to reunite the Republican Party, that split in many different parties. He couldn't do it, specially because his mandat was atribulated by the Monarchic revolts of Capitan Paiva Couceiro . He was replaced as President by Prof. Teofilo Braga in 1915. He died in Lisbon two years later.
Manuel de Arriaga was President during World War I. As said above, he couldn't unite the Parties to fight the War and solve the economical problems. The Parlament was closed and accused Manuel de Arriaga of being a bandit. In 1915, Pimenta de Castro 's dictatorship ends with the revolt of the Constitucionalist Party. Twelve days later, Manuel de Arriaga abdicates.
