Floriano Vieira Peixoto (1837-1895). Brazilian soldier and politician, born in 1839 in Ipioca, today Floriano Peixoto, in the State of Alagoas and veteran of the War of the Triple Alliance, second President of Brazil. Was an Army Marshal when elected Vice-President in 1891 and later rose to the Presidency following the resignation of Marshal Deodoro da Fonseca in November 1891, first President of Brazil following the end of the Monarchy [1] in 1889. Floriano Peixoto came to the Presidency in a difficult period of the young First Republic and his ascendancy to the Presidency was deemed unconstitutional since the Article 42 of the Constitution indicated that, in the case of resignation of the incumbent, the Vice-President could only assume the Presidency if half of the President's mandate was completed. Floriano Peixoto defeated a naval officers rebellion against him (1893) and a sedicious military movement in the State of Rio Grande do Sul. His government was marked by increased centralization of power and nationalism. He is often referred to as "the Consolidator of the Republic" or "The Iron Marshall". He left the Presidency in November 15, 1894 but despite his unpopularity, the "Iron Marshal" was responsible for the consolidation of the new Republican Government.

See also: List of Presidents of Brazil