Jose Maria da Silva Paranhos Junior

José Maria da Silva Paranhos Júnior, also known as Baron of Rio Branco, was a Brazilian noble, diplomat, geographer, historian, politician and professor. He was the son of José Paranhos, Viscount of Rio Branco, a prominent statesman and prime minister of Brazil. He is considered to be the "father of Brazilian diplomacy" for his successful negotiation of Brazil's borders with its South American neighbors, adding about 900,000 square kilometers to the country's territory. He served as the Minister of Foreign Affairs for four consecutive presidents, from 1902 to 1912, and was a national unanimity in his time. He was also a member of the Brazilian Academy of Letters, occupying its 34th chair. He was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize in 1911. He died in Rio de Janeiro in 1912, after suffering a uremic attack. His death caused a great mourning in the nation, and his funeral was attended by thousands of people. He was buried along with his father in the Caju Cemetery in Rio de Janeiro. He is widely regarded as one of the most important figures in Brazilian history.