João Carlos de Bragança, 2nd Duke of Lafões
Dom João Carlos de Bragança e Ligne de Sousa Tavares Mascarenhas da Silva, 2nd Duke of Lafões, 4th Marquis of Arronches and 8th Count of Miranda do Corvo (Lisbon, 6 March 1719 – Lisbon, 10 November 1806) was a politician and a Portuguese noble. He was the marshal general of the Portuguese Army, which he commanded during the War of the Oranges. A founding member of the Academia Real das Ciências of Lisbon, he briefly held the office of minister assistant to the dispatch (Prime Minister) of Portugal, between 6 January and 21 May 1801. He was dismissed from office after the entry of the Spanish forces in the Alentejo, although he remained marshal of the army. Early life He studied Humanities and Philosophy, having entered the University of Coimbra to pursue a degree in Canon Law, because his uncle King João V had intended him for an ecclesiastical career. Adulthood His father was the legitimized son of Pedro II of Portugal. He led the aristocratic opposition to Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st Marquis of Pombal. He was a man of culture, and while living in exile during Pombal’s tenure assisted both Gluck and Mozart as a patron.