# Hermes da Fonseca

> President of Brazil (1855-1923)

**Wikidata**: [Q312874](https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q312874)  
**Wikipedia**: [English](https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Hermes_da_Fonseca)  
**Source**: https://4ort.xyz/entity/hermes-da-fonseca

## Summary

Hermes da Fonseca (1855–1923) was a Brazilian military officer and politician who served as the 13th President of Brazil from 1910 to 1914. A graduate of the Academia Militar das Agulhas Negras, he rose through the ranks of the Brazilian Army to become a Marshal (Marechal) before entering politics. His presidency was marked by political instability and military interventions, including the Revolta da Armada naval mutinies. He is also known by his full name, Hermes Rodrigues da Fonseca.

## Biography

- **Born:** May 12, 1855
- **Died:** September 9, 1923
- **Nationality:** Brazil
- **Education:** Academia Militar das Agulhas Negras (Military Higher Education School of the Brazilian Army), graduated
- **Known for:** Serving as the 13th President of Brazil (1910–1914); military career as Marshal of the Brazilian Army
- **Employer(s):** Brazilian government, Brazilian Army
- **Field(s):** Politics, Military

## Contributions

Hermes da Fonseca's primary contributions center on his military service and presidential leadership:

- **Presidency of Brazil (1910–1914):** Served as the 13th President of Brazil, elected in 1910. His administration faced significant political challenges and instability during this period.

- **Military Leadership:** Rose to the rank of Marshal (Marechal) in the Brazilian Army, becoming one of the highest-ranking military officers in Brazilian history.

- **Revolta da Armada:** His presidency was notably affected by the Revolta da Armada (Revolt of the Armada), a series of mutinies in the Brazilian Navy that occurred during his term. This conflict represented a significant challenge to his government.

- **Medalha Marechal Hermes:** A military medal was named in his honor, recognizing his contributions to the Brazilian armed forces.

## FAQs

**Who was Hermes da Fonseca?**

Hermes da Fonseca was the 13th President of Brazil, serving from 1910 to 1914. He was a career military officer who attained the rank of Marshal before entering politics.

**What was Hermes da Fonseca's educational background?**

He was educated at the Academia Militar das Agulhas Negras, the Military Higher Education School of the Brazilian Army, which was established on December 17, 1792.

**What was the Revolta da Armada?**

The Revolta da Armada was a series of mutinies in the Brazilian Navy that occurred during Hermes da Fonseca's presidency, representing one of the major challenges his government faced.

**What honors did Hermes da Fonseca receive?**

He had the Medalha Marechal Hermes (Marshal Hermes Medal) named after him, a Brazilian military decoration recognizing his service.

**What was Hermes da Fonseca's full name?**

His full name was Hermes Rodrigues da Fonseca, and he was also commonly known as Marechal Hermes da Fonseca.

## Why They Matter

Hermes da Fonseca matters in Brazilian history for several key reasons:

- **Presidential Leadership:** As one of Brazil's early presidents, his tenure (1910–1914) helped shape the political institutions and practices of the Brazilian Republic, which had been established in 1889.

- **Military Influence:** His presidency exemplified the significant role that military officers played in Brazilian politics during the early republican period. The Revolta da Armada during his term demonstrated the tensions between civilian and military authority.

- **Institutional Legacy:** The Medalha Marechal Hermes medal established in his honor continues to recognize military excellence in Brazil, reflecting his lasting impact on military traditions.

- **Historical Significance:** His presidency occurred during a formative period of Brazilian democracy, and his experiences with political instability and military challenges provided lessons for subsequent administrations.

## Notable For

- 13th President of Brazil (1910–1914)
- Marshal (Marechal) of the Brazilian Army
- Graduate of Academia Militar das Agulhas Negras
- Faced the Revolta da Armada naval mutinies during his presidency
- Recipient of the Medalha Marechal Hermes
- Full name: Hermes Rodrigues da Fonseca

## Body

### Early Life and Education

Hermes Rodrigues da Fonseca was born on May 12, 1855. He received his military education at the Academia Militar das Agulhas Negras, Brazil's premier military academy, which was founded on December 17, 1792. This institution, located in the state of Rio de Janeiro, trained generations of Brazilian military officers and played a crucial role in the country's military development.

### Military Career

Following his education at Academia Militar das Agulhas Negras, Hermes da Fonseca pursued a career in the Brazilian Army. He rose through the military ranks to achieve the distinguished position of Marshal (Marechal), becoming one of the highest-ranking officers in the Brazilian armed forces. His military career spanned a period of significant development for the Brazilian military, which was modernizing and expanding its capabilities during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

### Presidency of Brazil (1910–1914)

Hermes da Fonseca was elected President of Brazil in 1910, becoming the 13th person to hold the office since the establishment of the Brazilian Republic in 1889. His presidency began on November 15, 1910, and lasted until November 15, 1914.

His administration faced numerous challenges, with the most significant being the Revolta da Armada (Revolt of the Armada), a series of mutinies in the Brazilian Navy. This naval rebellion posed a serious threat to his government and tested his leadership abilities. The conflict reflected broader tensions between different branches of the military and the challenges of maintaining political stability in the young Brazilian republic.

### Legacy and Honors

Hermes da Fonseca's service to Brazil was recognized through the creation of the Medalha Marechal Hermes (Marshal Hermes Medal), a military decoration awarded to members of the Brazilian armed forces who demonstrated exceptional service. This honor reflects the significance of his military contributions and his standing within the Brazilian military tradition.

He passed away on September 9, 1923, leaving behind a legacy as both a military leader and president during a formative period of Brazilian republican history.

### Personal Identification

Various identification numbers and references document his existence in historical records:

- Library of Congress Control Number: 70324238
- German National Library ID: 117742899
- Library of Congress authority ID: n84039887
- SUDOC ID: 148930999
- Wikidata ID: Q13613
- Image: Hermes da Fonseca (1910).jpg

His name appears in multiple languages and formats, including Hermes Rodrigues da Fonseca, Marechal Hermes da Fonseca, and in Spanish as Hermes Rodrigues da Fonseca, demonstrating his recognition across Portuguese-speaking countries.

## References

1. Integrated Authority File
2. International Standard Name Identifier
3. Virtual International Authority File
4. Roglo
5. Freebase Data Dumps. 2013