António de Oliveira Salazar

Born in the family of estate manager; received education at the seminary of Viseu (1900-1908), but decided to abandon ecclesiastical career; attended Colégio da Via Sacra at Viseu (1908-1910); entered (1910) the University of Coimbra, graduating with a bachelor's degree in law (1914); gained a doctorate in finance and economics (1918); became professor of political economy at the University of Coimbra; elected a deputy of the Câmara dos Deputados (Chamber of Deputies) on the ticket of the Portuguese Catholic Center (Centro Católico Português), representing Guimarães (1921); resigned as deputy (1921) to return to academic career; briefly served as finance minister (3 Jun 1926 - 19 Jun 1926) in the Cabinet Mendes Cabeçadas; returned to the office of finance minister (27 Apr 1928 - 28 Aug 1940) during the presidency of Óscar Carmona; assumed full control of Portuguese economy and succeeded in achieving stability of economic development; drafted a new constitution (1933) that reorganized Portugal's political system along authoritarian lines; chief architect of the corporative and authoritarian state (Estado Novo); served as interim minister of colonies (21 Jan 1930 - 29 Jul 1930, 3 Nov 1930 - 6 Nov 1930), interim minister of war (5 Jul 1932 - 6 Jul 1932, 11 May 1936 - 6 Sep 1944), interim minister of foreign affairs (24 Nov 1936 - 4 Feb 1947); supported the Spanish Nationalists during the Civil War (1936–1939); maintained relations with Portugal's traditional ally, United Kingdom, and permitted the Allies to use the Azores as a base during World War II; assumed the position of minister of national defense (13 Apr 1961 - 4 Dec 1962), following unsuccessful attempt of military coup led by Botelho Moniz (11 Apr 1961); Biography source: [][]