Francisco de Paula Vieira da Silva de Tovar, 1st Viscount of Molelos

Francisco de Paula Vieira da Silva de Tovar e Nápoles, 11th Lord of the Honour of Molelos, 1st Baron and 1st Viscount of Molelos (1774 - 1848) was a Portuguese military officer and politician. He is best known for his role in the seizing of the Uruguayan province of Río de la Plata during the Portuguese-Uruguayan war, under the reign of king John VI, as well as for his active participation in Portugal's rebellion against the invading troops of Napoleon (1807-1810) and, toward the end of his life, for his support for the Absolutist or Traditionalist faction during the Portuguese Civil War, whose ranks he led as a General.

In 1862, exiled king Miguel I honoured him posthumously by creating his only surviving grandson, António Vieira de Tovar de Magalhães e Albuquerque, 1st Count of Molelos. This title, however, was never legally validated, and his only daughter died an infant.

The vicomital title was given continuity by the descendents of António's great-aunt Josefa Vieira da Silva de Tovar.

References

*Serrão, Manuel. "História de Portugal", Volume VII: "A Instauração do Liberalismo (1807-1832)"

See also

*Viscount of Molelos
*Nápoles (family)
*Honour (land)