Paulo do Rio Branco
Encyclopedia
Paulo do Rio Branco da Silva Paranhos (Paris
, 10 July 1876 - Paris, February 1927) was a French-born Brazilian rugby union
player. He was the son of the Baron of Rio Branco and of a Belgian origin dancer, Philomène Stevens. He studied Medicine in Paris, where he settled, becoming a surgeon. He was the first Brazilian rugby union player of international level, and become a celebrity in France. He first played as a hooker, but later become a fullback.
He was one of best players for the legendary French team of Stade Français, winning six titles of National Champion, in 1893, 1894, 1895, 1897, 1898 and 1901. He was also twice vice champion, in 1896 and 1899. A dual French and Brazilian citizen, he played for France
in unofficial matches.
He served as a volunteer at World War I
, as a civilian physician for the French-Brazilian hospital, depending from the Red Cross. He became a knight of the Legion of Honour for his services during wartime.
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
, 10 July 1876 - Paris, February 1927) was a French-born Brazilian rugby union
Rugby union
Rugby union, often simply referred to as rugby, is a full contact team sport which originated in England in the early 19th century. One of the two codes of rugby football, it is based on running with the ball in hand...
player. He was the son of the Baron of Rio Branco and of a Belgian origin dancer, Philomène Stevens. He studied Medicine in Paris, where he settled, becoming a surgeon. He was the first Brazilian rugby union player of international level, and become a celebrity in France. He first played as a hooker, but later become a fullback.
He was one of best players for the legendary French team of Stade Français, winning six titles of National Champion, in 1893, 1894, 1895, 1897, 1898 and 1901. He was also twice vice champion, in 1896 and 1899. A dual French and Brazilian citizen, he played for France
France national rugby union team
The France national rugby union team represents France in rugby union. They compete annually against England, Ireland, Italy, Scotland and Wales in the Six Nations Championship. They have won the championship outright sixteen times, shared it a further eight times, and have completed nine grand slams...
in unofficial matches.
He served as a volunteer at World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, as a civilian physician for the French-Brazilian hospital, depending from the Red Cross. He became a knight of the Legion of Honour for his services during wartime.