BRAGA, THEOPHILO (1843-1924), Portuguese writer and politician, was born at Punta Delgada, in the Azores. He published six volumes of poems between 1859 and 1868, and his History of Portuguese Literature (20 vols.) between 187o and 1881. In philosophy he was a positivist.
Braga was elected deputy for Lisbon in Aug. 1909, and in Oct. when the new-born Portuguese republic was faced with the difficult task of political reconstruction, this man of unquestion able attainments and irreproachable character was selected as first provisional president. He remained in office till the election of Dr. Arriaga as first constitutional president, Aug. 24 1911, and when Arriaga resigned on May 27 1915, Braga's services were again req uisitioned, and he returned to the presidency for the remainder of the term.