Cunha, Don Rodrigo Da

Cunha, Don Rodrigo da a Portuguese prelate and writer was born at Lisbon in 1577. He first studied with the Jesuits, then went to Coimbra; after being admitted to the Royal College of St. Paul, took orders, and familiarized himself especially with canonical jurisprudence. He was promoted in 1615 to the bishopric of Portalegre, and some years later to that of Oporto. In 1626 he occupied the archiepiscopal see of Braga. He also became primate of an important part of the peninsula, and occupied the archbishopric of Lisbon from 1635, where he gave further proof of his patriotism and love of independence when the revolution of 1640 placed the duke of Braganza upon the throne. In the absence of the new sovereign, he was chosen by the people governor of the kingdom. He died at Lisbon January 3, 1643. We are indebted to this prelate for an Ecclesiastical History of Oporto, Braga, and Lisbon, in which he was aided by Pontaleo de Ciabra (Oporto, 1623, 1742). See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.