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Dr. João Abel de Freitas (b. Funchal, 27th May 1893; d. Funchal, 10th September 1948), a Madeiran doctor and politician. He graduated from the Lisbon Medical School (1919) and specialized in Urology by the Paris Medical School, and he served during the First World War as a militia lieutenant doctor. Back in Funchal, he opened a consulting room, and became Chief of Surgery of the Santa Casa da Misericórdia Funchal Hospital, a position he held from 1927 until his death, having also been Clinical Director of the Red Cross delegation. He also belonged to the medical group of the Portuguese Legion.
He started his political activity at a very young age, becoming administrator of the Porto Moniz Town Council at the age of 28 years. He had a remarkable career path and attained the following positions: Commissioner of the Madeira Police and at the same time administrator of the Funchal Municipality (1922); Substitute Civil Governor (1928); president of the Madeira Tourist Board (1935); president of the General Council of Funchal (1935-1947); President of the Board of Public Works of the Archipelago of Madeira (1936); representative of the Board and chairman of the Administrative Commission for Hydraulic and Electrical Projects (1944).
Relentless, he was also president of the Madeira Concert Society, the Funchal National Union, the Association of Assistance to the Indigents and the Protective Association to the Poor.
He was a visionary at all levels, doing an honourable job in his presidency of the General Board (1935-1947), in an endless list that does not fit these lines. We highlight just a few: the modernization of the city of Funchal, not only with new and important streets, but also with the co-funding and / or promotion of the construction of the building pertaining to the Postal Services, the Bank of Portugal, “Mercado dos Lavradores” (Farmer’s Market), the Funchal Municipal Slaughter-house, Liceu de Jaime Moniz (lyceum) and the first stage of the Barreiros Stadium. He developed an authentic road network in Madeira, with connections between different municipalities and also promoted studies for the feasibility of building an airport. Under his management, he developed important projects for the profitability of water resources, not only in Madeira, with the construction of dams and hydroelectric plants in various locations, but also in Porto Santo, with the construction of a rainwater collection and distribution system descending from Pico Castelo and also with the opening of new irrigation wells. He also promoted the construction of several social neighborhoods and the creation of 59 schools in various locations on the island, as well as reorganizing the Public Security Police.
He was a remarkable man and therefore present in the toponymy of several locations on the island, having also received the following distinctions:
Commander of the Order of Christ; Red Cross of Dedication; Red Cross of Merit; Red Cross of Benefaction; Order of Academic Palms (France); Cruzeiro do Sul Officership (Brazil); the Portuguese Legion Silver Medal for Dedication and commander of the Order of Polonia Restituta.
[MG]
Credits: Madeira Photography Museum - Atelier Vicente's.

joaoabeldefreitasvicentes

PHOTOGRAPHIA VICENTE | Portrait of Dr. João Abel de Freitas | 1944-04-26

14.8 x 9.7 cm | Simple film negative | Gelatin-silver print
VIC / 544

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