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U.Porto Memory

University of Porto Famous Alumni

Leonardo Augusto Coimbra

Leonardo Augusto Coimbra 1914-1970 Physician, politician and benefactor

Leonardo Augusto Coimbra, son of Leonardo José Coimbra and Maria Amélia Coimbra, was born in Póvoa de Varzim on 9 Abril 1914.

He graduated in Medicine at the Faculty of Medicine of the University of Porto in 1941, and trained in London in the Thoracic Surgery department.

His professional life was split mainly between medicine and politics. As a doctor, he held various positions. He was a volunteer assistant in the Surgery Services of the University of Porto (1941-1947), director of the D. Manuel II Sanatory (1950-1955), in Vila Nova de Gaia, member of the Medical Services Board of the Welfare Fund of the Textiles and Commerce, before it became part of the Federation of Medical-Social Services, and chief physician of a Welfare and Child Support Service in the district of Porto (1965), and clinical director of the Louredo da Serra Sanatory and of Siderurgia do Marão.

He was also politically involved in the 9^th legislature (1969-1973), for the Porto constituency, and participated in the Work, Welfare and Social Assistance Commissions. He was the treasurer of the University of Porto (appointed on 31 May 1941) and a great benefactor. To him we owe the foundation of the Portuguese Association for the Protection of Children against Cruelty and Neglect, in 1953, which currently has homes for abandoned and abused children in Valadares and Vila Nova de Gaia, and to rehabilitate children with disabilities, in Senhora da Hora and S. Mamede de Infesta, Matosinhos, and in Gemunde-Famalicão; and the temporary opening of a Children’s Rehabilitation Centre (1966).

He participated in the Symposium on Silicosis of Lisbon (1960) and in the 2^nd and 3^rd national congresses on Occupational Accidents and Diseases. He wrote scientific articles, gave lectures and wrote books such as "Terra Santa: evocação dos seus caminhos", "Para uma Política Social Cristã", "Condições duma Ética Social-criadora" and "O Homem e a Máquina: patologia do trabalho".

He married Maria Odete Marques Coimbra and lived in Vila Nova de Gaia.

He died in a helicopter accident in Guinea, together with other representative members, in July 1970.

Posthumously, he was awarded the Order of Benefaction, a Portuguese honorary Order established in 1927, called "Ordem de Instrução e Benemerência", and which in 1929 was split into Order of Benefaction and Order of Public Education, and in 1976 became Order of Merit.
(Universidade Digital / Gestão de Informação, 2010)