Francisco Correia de Herédia (b. Ribeira Brava, April 2nd, 1852 - d. Lisbon, October 16th, 1918), Viscount of Ribeira Brava and renowned politician was the son of António Correia de Herédia (1822 -1899), who had been an assemblyman, mayor and civil governor of the District of Funchal.

In addition to a degree in Literature, he was a notable sportsman, a commander of various orders, Noble Knight of the Royal House and even became a civil governor of the Districts of Beja, Bragança and Lisbon. He was appointed depute during the monarchy and in the 1st republic, openly assuming to be a republican.

He fiercely opposed the dictatorship of João Franco (who tried unsuccessfully to testify in the “library elevator coup”) and that of Sidónio Pais, defending the interests of Madeira Island thus being considered the very first autonomy supporter. As a consequence he was frequently put to jail and ended up by being shot to death while he was being transferred to another prison in the company of other political prisoners.

Credits: Madeira Photography Museum - Atelier Vicente’s

Photographia Vicente - Portrait of Francisco Correia Herédia, Viscount of Ribeira Brava

1915-01-15

16.2 x 12 cm | Simple negative, glass | Gelatin-silver print VIC / 21532