Henrique Dumont

Henrique Dumont (Diamantina, July 20, 1832 – Rio de Janeiro, August 30, 1892) was an engineer,[1] Brazilian coffee farmer and father of Alberto Santos Dumont. A son of French immigrants, he is considered one of the three kings of the coffee of his time, introducing modern methods to coffee farming.[2]

Henrique Dumont
Henri Dumont
Born(1832-07-20)July 20, 1832
Diamantina, Minas Gerais, Empire of Brazil
DiedAugust 30, 1892(1892-08-30) (aged 60)
Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
NationalityBrazilian
Other namesCoffee King
OccupationCoffee farmer
Known forOwning large crops and coffee farms, helped build the first gasoline car

Biography

Henrique Dumont's parents came from France. His mother, Eufásia Honoré, the daughter of a goldsmith, married his father, François Dumont. Eufásia's father convinced François to move to Brazil in search of precious stones, which would feed his industry. In Brazil the couple had three children, the second being Henrique.[3]

Henrique Dumont's father passed away early. Helped by his godfather, he graduated as an engineer from the School of Arts and Crafts in Paris at the age of 21. Dumont returned to Brazil and began to render services to the city of Ouro Preto. Dumont and his wife Francisca Santos, daughter of Francisco da Paula Santos, were married on September 6, 1856, in the Parish of Nossa Senhora do Pilar, in Ouro Preto.[3]

In 1872, during the reign of Pedro II, Dumont was commissioned to construct a section of the Central Railroad of Brazil in Minas Gerais, on the ascent of the Mantiqueira Mountains. With the construction site fixed in the locality of Cabangu, the family settled in a nearby farm; here, on July 20, 1873 (Henrique's 41st birthday), his son, Alberto Santos Dumont, was born.[4]

When the railroad was completed, Henrique Dumont decided to dedicate himself to the cultivation of coffee. He left Minas Gerais and went to the municipality of Valença, in Rio de Janeiro; in this region, his son Alberto was baptized in 1877 in the parish of Santa Tereza, current municipality of Rio das Flores.[3]

Searching for more suitable land for coffee growing, Dumont moved to Ribeirão Preto, in São Paulo, and settled in the Fazenda Arindeuva. By applying his knowledge of engineering, Dumont was able to stimulate production at his new farm through a series of innovations, making it into the most modern farm in South America, with five million coffee trees, 96 kilometers of railroads and seven locomotives.

In 1883, an extension of the Mogiana Railroad to Ribeirão Preto was inaugurated, obtained by demand of Henrique Dumont ; this extension was fundamental for the flow of production and for the development of the region, bringing hundreds of immigrants, mainly Italians, who soon replaced the slave labor force.[3][5]

He helped create the first gasoline car along with Henry Ford.[6]

Last years

In 1890, Dumont fell from a cart on one of his farms and the accident left him hemiplegic. Later, in 1891, as a result of the treatment, he sold his farms and left for Europe with his family.[7]

In 1891, shortly before his death, Henrique emancipated his minor children and gave each one his share in the inheritance. To his son Alberto Santos Dumont he said "Give up being a doctor, go study mechanics".[1][8] On August 30, 1892, at age 60, he died in the city of Rio de Janeiro.

References
  1. "Santos Dumont: As Asas do Homem" [Santos Dumont: The Wings of Man]. Archived from the original on July 13, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  2. "Ruas do Rio IX". Archived from the original on September 12, 2014. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  3. "ALBERTO SANTOS DUMONT". Archived from the original on December 16, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  4. "História de Alberto Santos Dumont" [History of Alberto Santos Dumont]. Archived from the original on December 15, 2017. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  5. "Lembranças do 'Tio Alberto'" [Memories of 'Uncle Alberto']. Archived from the original on July 11, 2019. Retrieved July 11, 2019.
  6. "Reis do café no Brasil" [Brazilians Coffee Kings]. Archived from the original on July 15, 2019. Retrieved December 15, 2017.
  7. "História da Indústria e a Tecnologia Aeronáutica" [History of Industry and Aeronautical Technology] (in Portuguese). Archived from the original on April 9, 2016. Retrieved February 23, 2010.
  8. O que eu vi, o que nós veremos
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