Quintino Antônio Ferreira de Sousa (1836-1912) was born in Itaguaí, Rio de Janeiro, on December 4, 1836. He became an orphan at a very young age and, at just 14 years old, moved to São Paulo, where he continued his studies and managed to support himself by working as a typesetter and proofreader at the editorial office of the newspaper “Acaiaba”. Alongside Ferreira Viana, he also wrote for the newspaper “A Hora”. During this time, he began to acquire the republican and nationalist ideas that led him to adopt the name “Bocaiúva” – the indigenous name of a palm tree typically 
Brazilian.
Even though he had some prestige as a journalist, he abandoned his studies due to financial difficulties. In 1856, he returned to Rio de Janeiro, where he dedicated himself definitively to his journalistic career.
Quintino Bocaiúva also engaged in dramatic production with plays such as “Omphalia” and “Família”. He received from D. Pedro II the title of “Commander of the Order of the Rose”, but refused the honor due to his republican ideals. In 1870, he founded the Republican Party, and his ideas were launched with the publication of the “Republican Manifesto”.
In 1884, he founded the newspaper “O País” and continued to attack the monarchy while defending his republican ideas, making it clear that the struggle was against the monarchical system and not against its eventual 
holders. In 1889, he was elected head of propaganda for the Republican Party. The group of evolutionists, led by Quintino Bocaiúva, was linked to the coffee growers of São Paulo and aimed to achieve the Republic through gradual reforms.
On November 11, 1889, at a meeting at Marshal Deodoro’s house, Quintino Bocaiúva and Benjamin Constant finally secured the Marshal’s support. On November 15, 1889, the “Provisional Government” was established, where Quintino was appointed Minister of Foreign Affairs and temporarily of Agriculture. He remained in office until 1891, with the signing of the Constitution.
He earned the nickname “Prince of Brazilian journalists”. In 1899, he was elected Senator, and the following year he became Governor of the State of Rio de Janeiro. Quintino Bocaiúva passed away in Rio de Janeiro on June 11, 1912.
Source: www.ebiografia.com, By Dilva Frazão