About Rodrigues Alves
Francisco de Paula Rodrigues Alves (Brazilian Portuguese pronunciation: [fɾɐ̃ˈsisku dʒi ˈpawlɐ ʁoˈdɾiɡiz ˈawvis]. 7 July 1848 – 16 January 1919) was a Brazilian politician and statesman who served as the fifth president of Brazil, from 1902 to 1906. Alves was elected in 1902, becoming the third consecutive São Paulo native to hold the presidency. Before his presidency, he served as president of the province of São Paulo during the Empire of Brazil (1887) and as finance minister under Floriano Peixoto and Prudente de Morais in the 1890s. During his term, Rodrigues Alves promoted a series of urban renewals and sanitation campaigns in Rio de Janeiro, then the Brazilian capital, which led to the outbreak of the Vaccine Revolt in 1904. Rodrigues Alves was elected president for a second term in 1918, but died of the Spanish flu pandemic before assuming power, on 16 January 1919. He was succeeded by his vice-president, Delfim Moreira. In 1872 he became a member of the state house of representatives until 1879, and became known for his views on education, which he believed should be compulsory and free. On February 13 he resigned to run for Brazil's presidency as the previous president, Campos Sales' appointed successor, and won with 91% of the vote.
Biography source: Wikipedia. The profile adds birthday-specific historical context from the Celebs Birthday Today editorial database.