Francisco Maria da Cunha GCA ComTE ComC (Angra do Heroísmo, December 22, 1832 – Lisbon, 13 January 1909) was a military, political and Portuguese colonial administrator.

He was born at Fortress of São João Baptista (Angra do Heroísmo), son of Maria Cândida da Franca e Horta and Francisco Jacques da Cunha, one of the Bravos do Mindelo (winners of the Portuguese liberal wars to members of the liberal forces that participated in the Landing at Mindelo) and then major general.

He attended the military school between 1842 and 1848,[1] and after this, at 16 years old, joined the Portuguese Army as a volunteer.

[3] During his administration, he dealt effectively with a revolt in Zambezia and took possession of Inhaca, drawing praise from the Portuguese and British governments.

[5] He was also Minister of War (1897) and 1st Secretary of the Chairman of José Luciano de Castro (1898);[6] commander of the Army School (now Military Academy, 1895/96 and 1898/1900);[7] Chief of the Military House, Council aide and member of Conselho de Sua Majestade Fidelíssima of King D. Carlos; President of the Portuguese Red Cross (1905/1909),[8] the Montepio Geral and the Lisbon Geographical Society.