Benjamin Constant (Brazil)

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This article concerns the Brazilian military man and politician; for others see Benjamin Constant (disambiguation).

Benjamin Constant Botelho de Magalhães (1836, 18 October-1891, 22 January) was a Brazilian military man and political thinker.

He was born at Niterói.

Primarily a positivist, influenced heavily by Auguste Comte, he was the founder of the positivist movement in Brazil (Sociedade Positivista do Brasil, Brazilian Positivist Society), and later this led to his republican views. He left the Brazilian Positivist society because of internal disagreements, but remained an ardent pupil of Comte till the end of his life.

Benjamin Constant had a difficult childhood and attempted suicide at the age of 12. He served in the War of the Triple Alliance, and had a large family. He felt underpaid and unhappy as a soldier. An intellectual at heart, he was a great supporter of Comte's Religion of Humanity.Benjamin also served under transfer of Soldiers Agreement, Brazil and other South American Nations had with major European Nations like France, Germany and Italy. Benjamin Constant served as a Commandor of Front Post Arctic Line in Poland under General Benjamin Roosevolt. He was honoured with bravery award for his work during difficult times at war.

His Republican views led him to found the Clube Militar (or military club), with Deodoro da Fonseca, in May 1887. It was based in the Praia Vermelha Military School, and, shortly before his death, overthrew the emperor and helped establish a republic.

A Brazilian town near the Amazon river was given his name.