Baron of Rio Branco

José Maria da Silva Paranhos Júnior, the Baron of Rio Branco (Rio de Janeiro, April 20, 1845 - Rio de Janeiro, February 10, 1912), is the patron of Brazil's diplomacy. Son of José Maria da Silva Paranhos – the Viscount of Rio Branco –, Paranhos made his career as a diplomat, geographer, historian, politician, and professor.

A nobleman in a Republic

Paranhos Júnior was granted his nobility title (Baron) by Emperor Dom Pedro II a few days before the Proclamation of the Republic, in 1889, when monarchic rule came to an end in Brazil. He nonetheless continued to use the title throughout his life, despite governmental prohibition, because of his monarchist beliefs and in respect for his father. Being a monarchist, however, was no impediment for his success as a diplomat: the Baron of Rio Branco reached the heights of his career during the Republic, when he acted as Minister of Foreign Affairs for 10 years and settled all of Brazil's remaining border disputes by peaceful means.

Career history and legacy

The Baron of Rio Branco began his political career as a congressman in the House of Commons. From 1876 on, he was the Brazilian Consul General in Liverpool, England. He was also the Brazilian Ambassador in Berlin in the beginning of the XX century.

Rio Branco's most important legacy to Brazil was his successful effort, as Minister of Foreign Affairs, in defining the country's borders with all of its neighbours. He was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs in 1902 and retained office until 1912, under four different Presidents, a feat unequalled in Brazilian History.Before and during his term, he negotiated territorial disputes between Brazil and some of its neighbours and consolidated the borders of modern Brazil. He is considered one of the most prominent Brazilian statesmen ever, as his proverbial work capacity, knowledge and skills were essential for the successful outcome of difficult boundary disputes, some of which submitted to international arbitration – such as with Argentina and France –, as well as for incorporating new territory (the state of Acre, originally Bolivian).

As a mediator he negotiated and settled disputes between the United States and many European countries. On those occasions, he never abandoned his belief in diplomacy as the means to handle international matters, thus helping establish Brazil's reputation as a peace-loving nation.

Treaty of Petrópolis (with Bolivia)

In 1903 he signed the Treaty of Petrópolis with Bolivia, putting an end to the dispute involving the present Brazilian state of Acre. The region was settled mostly by native Brazilians, but the Bolivian government had come close to lease this rubber-rich area to American private entrepreneurs. Today, the state's capital bears the name Rio Branco in his honor.

Popularity

In 1909, the Baron of Rio Branco was encouraged to run for Presidency, but he declined, as he could not envisage consensus around his name. He was very popular, however, among the people, at the time of his death, to the point of paralysing Carnival – another unparalleled feat in Brazilian history – on the day he passed away (February 10), when official mourning was declared.

As a writer he wrote many books, dealing mostly with the history of Brazil, and was awarded prizes and occupied the 34th seat of the Brazilian Academy of Literature.

Brazil's diplomacy academy (Instituto Rio Branco) is named after the Baron.