Growth of Pedro II of Brazil

Pedro II
Full-length painted portrait of a young, full-bearded man standing before a table on which are books and a globe and wearing white trousers, a military tunic with heavy gold braid, a sash of office, and holding a bicorn admiral's hat
Pedro II at age 39, 1864
Emperor of Brazil
Reign7 April 1831 – 15 November 1889
Coronation18 July 1841
Imperial Chapel
PredecessorPedro I
SuccessorMonarchy abolished
RegentsSee list (1831–1840)
Prime ministersSee list
Head of the Imperial House of Brazil
Tenure7 April 1831 – 5 December 1891
PredecessorPedro I, Emperor of Brazil
SuccessorIsabel, Princess Imperial
Born(1825-12-02)2 December 1825
Palace of São Cristóvão, Rio de Janeiro, Empire of Brazil
Died5 December 1891(1891-12-05) (aged 66)
Paris, France
Burial5 December 1939
Spouse
(m. 1843; died 1889)
Issue
Detail
Names
Pedro de Alcântara João Carlos Leopoldo Salvador Bibiano Francisco Xavier de Paula Leocádio Miguel Gabriel Rafael Gonzaga
HouseBraganza
FatherPedro I of Brazil
MotherMaria Leopoldina of Austria
ReligionRoman Catholicism
SignatureCursive signature in ink

In the life of Pedro II of Brazil, growth in both his personal and public roles took place in the decade beginning in 1853. At the start of this period, he was still struggling to find his way. But by its end the Emperor was a mature and steady leader, and Brazil was united and on its way to unprecedented national prosperity and prestige.