 He was a prominent parliamentarian and Peer of the Realm, Attorney-General of the Crown, Minister of Public Works, of Finance and Foreign Affairs as well as uncontested leader of the Regenerator Party, holding the position of President of the Council of Ministers (Prime Minister) thrice (February 22, 1893 – February 5, 1897; July 26, 1900 – October 20, 1904; March 19, 1906 – May 19, 1906).He was one of the dominant politicians of the final part of the Portuguese Constitutional Monarchy, occupying the post of Prime Minister longer than any other in his time.He was responsible for important reforms - some of which are still valid - such as the insular autonomy for the Azores and Madeira islands (1895), the pharmacies' law, and forest's law (1901).