Cândido Rondon

Cândido Rondon
Rondon in 1910
Birth nameCândido Mariano da Silva
Nickname(s)Marshal Rondon
Born(1865-05-05)5 May 1865
Santo Antônio do Leverger, Mato Grosso, Empire of Brazil
Died19 January 1958(1958-01-19) (aged 92)
Rio de Janeiro, Federal District, Brazil
Buried
AllegianceEmpire of Brazil
Brazil
Service / branchImperial Brazilian Army
Brazilian Army
Years of service1881–1955
RankMarshal
CommandsMilitary Corps of Engineers
Strategic Telegraph Lines Commission
Indian Protection Service
Battles / warsProclamation of the Republic
Revolta da Armada
São Paulo Revolt of 1924
Revolution of 1930
AwardsCombat Cross
David Livingstone Centenary Medal
Explorers Club Medal
Order of Columbus
Spouse(s)
Francisca "Chiquinha" Xavier
(m. 1896)
Other workWriter; engineer
Signature

Marshal Cândido Mariano da Silva Rondon (5 May 1865 – 19 January 1958) was a Brazilian military officer most famous for his telegraph commission and exploration of Mato Grosso and the western Amazon basin, as well as his lifelong support for Indigenous Brazilians. He was the first director of Brazil's Indian Protection Service or SPI (later FUNAI) and supported the creation of the Xingu National Park. The Brazilian state of Rondônia is named after him.