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Adelino Hermiterio da Palma CarlosPortuguese scientist, lawyer and politician,
Date of Birth: 03.03.1905
Country:  Portugal |
Content:
- Early Life and Education
- Legal Career and Academia
- Business and Politics
- Prime Minister
- Resignation and Legacy
Early Life and Education
Adelino Herculano da Palma Carlos was born on March 3, 1905, in Faro, Portugal, to Manuel Carlos and Auta Vaz Velho da Palma. Growing up amidst political turmoil, he developed his republican beliefs at an early age.
In 1921, Palma Carlos enrolled at the Faculty of Law at the University of Lisbon, where he became active in student politics. As a delegate to the Academic Federation of the Faculty, he joined the Freemasons, becoming a member of the Loja Rebeldia. In 1923, he co-founded the Republican Youth League.
Legal Career and Academia
Palma Carlos graduated with honors in 1926 and established a law practice in Lisbon. He became renowned for defending political prisoners of the military regime and the New State. In 1934, he earned a doctorate in historical-legal sciences.
In 1935, Palma Carlos unsuccessfully ran for a professorship at the Faculty of Law due to political reasons. However, he continued to teach as an assistant professor and later became the President of the Portuguese Bar Association from 1951 to 1956.
In 1958, Palma Carlos won the position of Extraordinary Professor and Head of the Law Department. He also served as Director of the Faculty Library.
Business and Politics
Beyond his legal career, Palma Carlos was also a successful businessman. He held board positions in several companies and became President of the Lisbon Electric and Gas Company in 1960.
From 1966 to 1970, Palma Carlos served as Dean of the Faculty of Law. After a brief retirement, he was appointed Chairman of the Commission to Revise the Portuguese Civil Procedural Code in 1972.
Prime Minister
In the aftermath of the Carnation Revolution in 1974, Palma Carlos was appointed Prime Minister on May 16. His cabinet represented a broad political spectrum. The government's priorities included economic and social reforms, as well as the preparation for elections.
Resignation and Legacy
However, political tensions within the government and divisions within the country led to Palma Carlos' proposal for increased executive powers. This proposal was met with resistance, leading to his resignation on July 9, 1974.
After his resignation, Palma Carlos stayed active in society but held no further governmental positions. He served as the first Rector of the Free University, President of the Portuguese section of Reader's Digest, and Grand Master of the Grand Orient of Lusitania.
Palma Carlos passed away on October 25, 1992, in Lisbon. He was remembered for his legal principles, his role in the transition to democracy, and his contributions to Portuguese society.
