[1] He was a career military officer reaching the position of General, also graduated in mathematics by the University of Coimbra.

He had to resign due to the monarchist incursion of Henrique de Paiva Couceiro.

An independent, he was chosen by President Manuel de Arriaga to be the President of the Ministry (Prime Minister) of a government, who would rule without the parliament, where the Portuguese Republican Party, led by Afonso Costa had the majority.

His government, with the support of the moderate Evolutionist Party and the Republican Union, and also conservative military factions, was in office from 28 January to 14 May 1915.

It was overthrown by the military movement of 14 May 1915, supported by the Republican Party, which also caused the resignation of President Manuel de Arriaga.