RODRIGUES ALVES, FRANCISCO DE PAULA

born , July 7, 1848, Guaratinguet, near So Paulo, Braz. died Jan. 16, 1919, Rio de Janeiro president of Brazil from 1902 to 1906, generally considered the outstanding civilian holder of that office. First elected to public office in 1872, Rodrigues Alves was president of So Paulo state in 190002 and 191216. During his term as Brazil's president, Rio de Janeiro was extensively rebuilt and aesthetically improved, and the city's public health was drastically reformed, eliminating yellow fever. Through his foreign minister, Jos Maria da Silva Paranhos, border disputes were settled peacefully with Bolivia, Uruguay, British Guiana, and Suriname (Dutch Guiana). In 1918 Rodrigues Alves was reelected president of Brazil but died before he could take office.