Núcleo Museológico "O Lyceu" - Pieces with History

November: Photography of year 7 students
Dating: December 22, 1929
Provenance: Donation from Chief Superintendent Nuno Homem da Costa
Photography: Carlos Rodrigues
Research and text: Lília Castanha

In the month in which the Benção das Capas is celebrated, NMLJM presents a photograph of year 7 students at Liceu Jaime Moniz, when it was still operating in the Paço Episcopal, on Rua do Bispo.

In December 1929, a group of students from year 7 of high school (currently year 11) made their final trip to Lisbon, in the company of two teachers. In their luggage, the suit and cape, which they wore for the photo taken in a studio in the capital.

In this excursion group, there are three people from the same family. The illustrious Liceu teacher Cónego António Homem de Gouveia, uncle of the student Fernando Homem da Costa, who, in turn, would marry the sister of the student Fernando Pinto Coelho, something that the two year 7 students were unaware of at the time.

The three went on to occupy important positions in their professional lives.

Cónego António Homem de Gouveia served in the Diocese and other civil roles, such as professor, President of the General Board or deputy. He spoke several languages, especially German. During the exile of Emperors Charles of Austria and Zita of Bragança and Boubon-Parma, in Madeira, Conego Homem de Gouveia was their chaplain, advisor and secretary.

Fernando Homem da Costa pursued a military career. In 1938, already married to Maria Alice Pinto Coelho, he left for Macau, where he remained during the Second World War. He returned to Madeira and held various leadership positions in the Military Garrison. In 1960, he took office as president of the General Board of the Funchal district. Colonel Fernando Homem da Costa would also hold the presidency of the Autonomous Port Board and the Hydraulic Development Board.

Fernando Pinto Coelho graduated and received a PhD from the University of Coimbra. He interned in England and became a full professor of Chemistry. During his academic career, he held several prominent administrative positions. He was also a Portuguese delegate to the UN International Conferences on the use of atomic energy for peaceful purposes, as well as a consultant to the Nuclear Energy Board from 1960 to 1974.