Amador Bueno

Who is Amador Bueno?

Amador Bueno was a land owner and colonial administrator of the Captaincy of São Vicente.

Bueno was born around 1584 in the city of São Paulo, Captaincy of São Vicente which is now the State of São Paulo in Brazil. He was born to Bartolomeu Bueno da Ribeira, a Spanish settler from Seville and Maria Pires, from São Paulo, daughter of Salvador Pires and Mécia Fernandes. Amador held several public office posts through royal appointment and elections.

Since 1580, the Kingdom of Portugal was in a dynastic union with the Kingdom of Spain, up until 1640, when the Portuguese acclaimed John IV of Portugal as the new king. A largely Spanish contingent in São Paulo tried to break away from both in 1641. Without Bueno's consent, they claimed him to be their king. Bueno finally dissuaded the group and urged loyalty to John IV.

Unrest among the citizens of São Paulo caused that Bueno had to seek sanctuary in the convent of Saint Bento. It is said he tried to reason with the crowds who outside the convent from one of the porticos but they would not return to their homes until the fathers of the convent went out and addressed the multitudes. They would later support the new King of Portugal and keep the unity of the colony of Brazil. It is not known exactly when he died but estimates are between 1646 and 1650.