António José Enes
Encyclopedia
António José Enes commonly known as António Enes, was a Portuguese politician and writer.
A significant member of the progressive political and literary 1870s movement in Portugal, Enes's life is notable for his significant achievements in several fields: by the time of his death he had worked across three continents as a journalist, dramatist, librarian, government minister, colonial administrator and diplomat.
Enes wrote a controversial anti-clerical drama "Os Lazaristas", and defended in 1870 the concept of a 'United States of Europe', fearing that Portugal would be absorbed by Spain.
As a writer, politician and later as High Commissioner in Mozambique, Enes was an energetic defender of Portugal's colonial possessions in Africa in the face of twin threats from an expansionist and aggressive British Empire
and native uprisings.
The town now known as Angoche
as Mozambique was originally named 'António Enes' after him: the name of the town was changed in 1976 following Portuguese decolonisation.
As a student Enes became allied with the "generation of the 70's" – the broad name given to a movement dedicated to political liberalism and realism in art – other prominent members included Eça de Quieroz, Antero de Quental
, Batalha Reis and Oliveira Martins
. This political and literary affiliation shaped the rest of his career.
Following initially a career in commerce, Enes found that the tranquil life of an office-worker did not suit him and he moved into journalism at the end of the 1860s, beginning his career as a literary critic on the 'Jornal do Comercio.'
He was part of the editorial team for the Gazeta do Povo and shortly afterwards nominated director of O Páis, which became the official organ of the Progressive Party, changing its name to O Progresso.
In 1870 in his book, "A Guerra e a Democracia", Enes argued that the old model of the European state was obsolete and advocated federalism as the only future for the continent. He suggested that a pan-Latin federal state (made up of Belgium, France, Spain, Italy and Portugal) would confront similar pan-Germanic and pan-slavic entities.
In 1880 he was elected a Deputy, but parliament was dissolved. He was reelected in 1884, serving successive terms from 1884-87. 1887-89 and 1890-91.
The first of these,Os Lazaristas (1875), became notable and notorious in Portugal and Brazil for its strongly anti-clerical message. The play centres on Bergeret, a French Lazarist priest in pursuit of riches. By preaching a corrupt and merciless version of the catholic doctrine Bergeret persuades Luísa, a young heiress, to devote herself to life in a nunnery and her fortune to the church. The play contracts reactionary ultramontanism
- represented by Bergeret - with progressive liberalism, represented by Ernesto, a young revolutionary who would be Luisa's husband.
Enes's enthusiasm for the theatre was not limited just to writing: he was an assiduous spectator and regular visitor backstage. It was in this way that he met the actress Emília dos Anjos, whom he married and with whom he had one daughter, Luísa.
of 1890, António Enes was nominated Minister of the Navy and Overseas (he served from 14 October 1890 to 25 May 1891) in the government of General João Crisóstomo de Abreu e Sousa
. It was a time of intense political tension as a wave of nationalism swept Portugal following the British ultimatum. António Enes was able to maintain the necessary internal and external balances. In particular, he organised a military expedition to Mozambique, with the objective of breaking the increasing political proximity of Gungunhana
and the British. He also intervened energetically in the colonies of São Tomé e Príncipe, Portuguese Guinea
and Bié
.
Enes was succeeeded as minister by Júlio de Vilhena and in 1891 he was nominated High Commissioner in Mozambique, where he left his name connected with notable works including organising the expedition of Joaquim Augusto Mouzinho de Albuquerque
against the Empire of Gaza
. Enes wrote a book about the war against Gaza, A guerra de Africa em 1895: Memórias.
On his return to Portugal, Enes once again took up journalism, founding "O Dia" and writing about politics. A few months later, with serious respiratory problems, he moved for the last time to Queluz
where he died on 6 August 1901 shortly before his 53rd birthday.
A significant member of the progressive political and literary 1870s movement in Portugal, Enes's life is notable for his significant achievements in several fields: by the time of his death he had worked across three continents as a journalist, dramatist, librarian, government minister, colonial administrator and diplomat.
Enes wrote a controversial anti-clerical drama "Os Lazaristas", and defended in 1870 the concept of a 'United States of Europe', fearing that Portugal would be absorbed by Spain.
As a writer, politician and later as High Commissioner in Mozambique, Enes was an energetic defender of Portugal's colonial possessions in Africa in the face of twin threats from an expansionist and aggressive British Empire
British Empire
The British Empire comprised the dominions, colonies, protectorates, mandates and other territories ruled or administered by the United Kingdom. It originated with the overseas colonies and trading posts established by England in the late 16th and early 17th centuries. At its height, it was the...
and native uprisings.
The town now known as Angoche
Angoche
Angoche is a city of Nampula Province in Mozambique. The city was named António Enes until 1976, after the 19th century Portuguese journalist and colonial administrator, António José Enes...
as Mozambique was originally named 'António Enes' after him: the name of the town was changed in 1976 following Portuguese decolonisation.
Early life
António Enes was born, the son of a clerk, in modest surroundings on the third floor of a house in Lisbon. He was a sickly child and health problems were to continue throughout his life. He studied at a Lazarist college in Santo Antao before attending the Liceu Nacional in Lisbon, completing his studies with a thesis in the Faculty of Letters on the Religious Philosophy of Egypt.As a student Enes became allied with the "generation of the 70's" – the broad name given to a movement dedicated to political liberalism and realism in art – other prominent members included Eça de Quieroz, Antero de Quental
Antero de Quental
Antero Tarquínio de Quental , old spelling Anthero, , a Portuguese poet, philosopher and writer, whose works became a milestone in the Portuguese language, alongside those of Camões or Bocage....
, Batalha Reis and Oliveira Martins
Joaquim Pedro de Oliveira Martins
Joaquim Pedro de Oliveira Martins was a Portuguese politician and social scientist, son of Francisco Cândido Gonçalves Martins and wife Maria Henriqueta de Morais Gomes de Oliveira Joaquim Pedro de Oliveira Martins (Lisbon, 30 April 1845 – Lisbon, 24 August 1894) was a Portuguese politician...
. This political and literary affiliation shaped the rest of his career.
Following initially a career in commerce, Enes found that the tranquil life of an office-worker did not suit him and he moved into journalism at the end of the 1860s, beginning his career as a literary critic on the 'Jornal do Comercio.'
The Journalist and Young Politician
Enes became allied with the liberal, republican mood alive in Portugal in the 1870s. He joined the Histoical Party, which, in 1876 was to become the Progressive Party. This resulted in his collaboration in journals where he could express and defend his political ideas.He was part of the editorial team for the Gazeta do Povo and shortly afterwards nominated director of O Páis, which became the official organ of the Progressive Party, changing its name to O Progresso.
In 1870 in his book, "A Guerra e a Democracia", Enes argued that the old model of the European state was obsolete and advocated federalism as the only future for the continent. He suggested that a pan-Latin federal state (made up of Belgium, France, Spain, Italy and Portugal) would confront similar pan-Germanic and pan-slavic entities.
In 1880 he was elected a Deputy, but parliament was dissolved. He was reelected in 1884, serving successive terms from 1884-87. 1887-89 and 1890-91.
The Dramatist
Building on his contacts made in journalism, between 1875 and 1883, Enes became a well known dramatist. He wrote eight plays in the realist style: seven dramas and one comedy.The first of these,Os Lazaristas (1875), became notable and notorious in Portugal and Brazil for its strongly anti-clerical message. The play centres on Bergeret, a French Lazarist priest in pursuit of riches. By preaching a corrupt and merciless version of the catholic doctrine Bergeret persuades Luísa, a young heiress, to devote herself to life in a nunnery and her fortune to the church. The play contracts reactionary ultramontanism
Ultramontanism
Ultramontanism is a religious philosophy within the Roman Catholic community that places strong emphasis on the prerogatives and powers of the Pope...
- represented by Bergeret - with progressive liberalism, represented by Ernesto, a young revolutionary who would be Luisa's husband.
Enes's enthusiasm for the theatre was not limited just to writing: he was an assiduous spectator and regular visitor backstage. It was in this way that he met the actress Emília dos Anjos, whom he married and with whom he had one daughter, Luísa.
The Government Minister and Colonial Administrator
Immediately after the British UltimatumBritish Ultimatum
The 1890 British Ultimatum was an ultimatum by the British government delivered on 11 January 1890 to Portugal in breach of the Treaty of Windsor of 1386...
of 1890, António Enes was nominated Minister of the Navy and Overseas (he served from 14 October 1890 to 25 May 1891) in the government of General João Crisóstomo de Abreu e Sousa
João Crisóstomo de Abreu e Sousa
João Crisóstomo de Abreu e Sousa was an army general who became the Prime Minister of Portugal between 14 October 1890 and 17 January 1892 in a non-partisan government organized by the Liga Liberal .-References:...
. It was a time of intense political tension as a wave of nationalism swept Portugal following the British ultimatum. António Enes was able to maintain the necessary internal and external balances. In particular, he organised a military expedition to Mozambique, with the objective of breaking the increasing political proximity of Gungunhana
Gungunhana
Ngungunyane, also known as Mdungazwe Ngungunyane Nxumalo, N'gungunhana, or Gungunhana Reinaldo Frederico Gungunhana, was a tribal king and vassal of the Portuguese Empire, who rebelled, was defeated by General Joaquim Mouzinho de Albuquerque and lived out the rest of his life in exile, first in...
and the British. He also intervened energetically in the colonies of São Tomé e Príncipe, Portuguese Guinea
Portuguese Guinea
Portuguese Guinea was the name for what is today Guinea-Bissau from 1446 to September 10, 1974.-History:...
and Bié
Bié (province)
Bié is a province of Angola. Located on Bié Plateau in central part of country. Its capital is Kuito and it has an area of 70,314 km² and a population of approximately 800,000. Municipalities in the province include Andulo, Nharea, Cunhinga, Chinguar, Chitembo, Catabola, Camacupa and Cuemba...
.
Enes was succeeeded as minister by Júlio de Vilhena and in 1891 he was nominated High Commissioner in Mozambique, where he left his name connected with notable works including organising the expedition of Joaquim Augusto Mouzinho de Albuquerque
Joaquim Augusto Mouzinho de Albuquerque
thumb|right|With his wife, 1898Joaquim Augusto Mouzinho de Albuquerque was a Portuguese soldier. He captured Gungunhana in Chaimite and pacified Mozambique...
against the Empire of Gaza
Gaza Empire
The Gaza empire was an African empire established by the powerful general, Soshangane, and was located in southeastern Africa in the area of southern Mozambique and southeastern Zimbabwe...
. Enes wrote a book about the war against Gaza, A guerra de Africa em 1895: Memórias.
Brazil and final return to Portugal
In 1896 Enes was chosen to act as minister of Portugal in Brazil and he moved to Rio de Janeiro. The principal objective was to rebuild friendly relationships between the two countries, which had been badly shaken by the declaration of the Brazilian republic in 1889. Enes did not enjoy this role and he repeatedly asked to be relieved of the post, which occurred only in May 1900.On his return to Portugal, Enes once again took up journalism, founding "O Dia" and writing about politics. A few months later, with serious respiratory problems, he moved for the last time to Queluz
Queluz (Sintra)
Queluz is a Portuguese city and parish ,located in the municipality of Sintra, in the Lisbon District. The city of Queluz, which includes the parishes of Queluz, Massamá and Monte Abraão, has a combined population of approximately 111,424 and it is located in the municipality of Sintra, in the...
where he died on 6 August 1901 shortly before his 53rd birthday.