Originally written by the illustrious Prof. Máximo Ribeiro Nunes, from the Director Council of Friends of the City Society, first published in November, 1960 on Estado de São Paulo newspaper.

On November the 8th, 1860, the distinguished "paulista" (a person born in the state of São Paulo) Eduardo Prates, later to be known as the Count of Prates was born in São Paulo, son of Dr. Fidêncio Nepomuceno Prates and Mrs. Inocência da Silva Prates, daughter of the Baron of Antonina. From an early age he felt inclination to comercial life, devoted himself to the business trade to which he lent his dynamic spirit and his work capacity. Getting married to lady Antônia dos Santos Silva, from old paulista lineage , later Countess of Prates, daughter of the Baron of Itapetininga and the Baroness of Tatuí, a family of one of the noblest and most honorable brazilian traditions, the Count spread his activities field, becoming a modern farmer and diligent rancher. Due to his entrepeneurial spirit, his bright comercial judgement, his known altruistic feelings and the high moral standards of his personality, he became one of the most respected and prominent people of his time. If his inteligence and capacity were aimed at the business world, his high feelings where devoted to the unknown and the little, who he always generously helped.

Noble and magnanimous, kind and generous, patriarch of a family of one of the richest and most respected traditions of our society, the Count of Prates was also an authentic paulista, who loved his land and with patriotic character, linked its name to the gratest and most significant happenings of his time.The nobility and solemnity of his body and treatment, the nobility title which he was a bearer and his seriousness which demanded respect made him one of the exponent people in the most expressive social and economical environments in São Paulo. The Count of Prates was a restless sower of kindness and starter of relevant enterprises. Owner of enormous wealth, notwithstanding being busy with great responsabilities of his companies and the distinction of the positions he was frequently driven to, he had as supreme aspiration to help those who benefited his immoderate generosity.

These are the reasons why his unmistakeable personality fixed forever in São Paulo the unforgetable impressions of his kindness. Distinct aristocrat with subtle spirit and diamond-hearted, his name is perpetuated in the glorified galleries of many churches, hospitals and orphanages as symbol of undeniable gratitude. Man of faith and action, his life was a work of art and his individuality a symbol of perfection.
Banker, capitalist, trader and farmer, but his acts of philanthropy and humanity were distinctly of a rare beauty.
In the history of São Paulo, many extraordinary figures appear, among them shines the figure of the Count of Prates whose existence was a luminous landmark and na edyfing example to the coming generations.

On the forefront of many enterprises, serenely austere, elegant in the treatment of human relations, of a notable administrative trait , always created around him a surrounding of cordiality and sympathy, due to his virtues and the firmness of his refined character.
Throughout his 68 years of existence, his feelings and ideas were flourished in an edifyng and truly rare style. How many hopes blossomed by the shadow of altars with his anonymous and silent help. Nobody would ever knock at his palace door without being consoled.
In order to trace the profile of the noble soul of this unforgotten paulista, it would be enough to say that the most exciting episodes of his life were those in which he gave himself and what he had to those who had nothing and expected nothing. Although he tried to conceal the good he did and hide himself in the most enchanting and scrupulous symplicit his generous donations were never able to stay forever in the obscurity. For this reason the Pope Leo XIII decided to give him the noble title of Count and Countess to his wife. The dignifyng pontifical honor was the solemn gratitude of the Catholic Church to the feelings of kindness and Christian charity of the magnanimous and ilustrous couple. It is not easy to recreate in words such a rich and intensive life full of services to the common well being.

And neither would be my strict resources the most indicated to do so. Of what I know, however, I can say that his inteligence and his moral energies made his memory shine and be present in the noblest institutions of this city.
Member of the First Founding Commission of the new Sé Metropolitan Cathedral of São Paulo in 1912, was awarded the title of great contributor.
The preocupation with forsaken youth was a Constant in his life. For long years he was the Great Protector of Cristóvão Colombo's Orphanage, acting with fatherly love with the orphans who he frequently visited and that felt the emotions of the Count and his benevolence and prodigality. Advocating help to poverty, he was not insensitive to the physical suffering of others.Exercised true charity by being for many years Butler to the hospital Santa Casa de Misericórdia de São Paulo, the holiest of all houses after the House of God. He was also for a long time landlord and protector to the Our Lady of Light Nunnery, and even though it was a Contemplative Community of cloister nuns, the Count had special licence from the always remembered Dom Duarte Leopoldo e Silva to see and listen to the nuns when they needed to ask tell him the hardships they endured and the convent's needs.

He spread, indistinctly, through this city of São Paulo his incontrolable goodness.
That is how he was also a Great Contributor to the House of Divine Providence and Provider and Protector of Sait Anthony's Church, in Patriarca Square, which received the most help.Educational Institutions were not forgoten by him. And the "Liceu Coração de Jesus" was one of them.
Whoever walks into the old and respectful school will soon be faced, in a place of honor, with the oil painting of the venered Count, great helper of this glory of teaching, in Brazil, that this way consacrated him in the sublimity of their gratitude.
All the deeds performed by him were so many and so large that it is impossible to enumerate them here.
I shall only remember that, on a certain occasion, the school's kitchen caught on fire and it was him who, for 30 days, fed the 400 intern students. Such beautiful and rare gestures promote growth to the ones who perform them. At the beginning of this century, he was just like a father to the Salesians of São Paulo. Offering the bells that still ornate the bell tower of the Sacred Heart of Jesus Sanctuary; also donating in the name of the Countess the Altar of Saint Anthony, later sending to restoration the grand organ which had been offered by his noble mother-in-law the Baroness of Tatuí. Catholic by conviction, he was the provider of the Sisterhood of "Nosso Senhor dos Passos" and Brother of the Holy Faith of the Sé Cathedral of São Paulo. For all of this and for a lot more that my words are unaware of or are not able to say, he also received the title of "Comendador Locotenente da Ordem Eqüestre do Santo Sepulcro de Jerusalém". What an extraordinary and fascinating thing to be able to conciliate such a spiritual and charitable life to the world of worring material realizations! The Count was able to acomplish this prodigy.Citzen of healthy thoughts and straight intentions, he was also taken by great and audacious material enterprises.

He had in himself the progressist spirit of pioneering. For this reason he was the founder and President of the "Banco de São Paulo" that still today operates and fascinates the financial world of the capital. He was also the founder and first President of the Brazilian Rural Society that he helped to grow so veemently. The "Companhia Paulista de Estradas de Ferro",the most perfect organization of its kind in Latin America had him for many years as its vice-president and director. He was founder and first president of the "Companhia de Armazéns Gerais do Estado de São Paulo" and of many other companies, such as, "Companhia de Minerais Santa Rosa", "Companhia Pastoril de Barretos", "Companhia Paulista de Navegação" and "Associação Comercial". Sporting practices also received his sympathies. So much that in 1911 he was the founder and first President of "Sociedade Hípica Paulista" that cultivates the most elegant and aristocratic of sports. Devoted to his land, the Count of Prates contributed decisively to its growth and swooning progress.
Realizing that his city was predestinated to a great development, built 3 magnificent buildings in the center of town, the most important at that time, which construction constituted a bold commitment and in a gesture carachteristicaly his he donated many areas on Libero Badaró Street and Anhangabaú Valley. I do not hesitated but a minute in affirming that the Count of Prates was, in the past, one of the people who most contributed to the growth of this tentacular metropolis. He was also involved in agriculture, and he was a progresist one, owner of Santa Gertrudes Farm, which name was given to the train station and village nearby, today a city. At about 162 km from the capital, Santa Gertrudes Farm received, in the past and today, ilustrous figures and personalities of the highest world expression.

A man of admirable vision, of objective experience, his expansions were always far reaching which made him transform his property in such a thriling scenery of beuty and productivity.
It was there that he would go in search of fair moments of leisure amidst the poetry and solitude of lakes, trees, orchards and his coffee plantation. Today that beautiful and tradicional property belongs to the Count and Countess Guilherme Prates. A paulista made of the best carat gold who left for prosperity dignifing examples of honour, of working life and unspeakable goodness.
I remember, with such fidelity that it even surprises me, of the time when he called me to his bed side two days before he passed away. I was then a student of the "Liceu Coração de Jesus". He asked me about the priests and the school. He remembered priests, scenes, figures and memorable facts which I had not had the chance of knowing. Then he asked me to leave. On the final moments of his life he was giving proof of his old admiration for the Salesian Work.

I feel that the eminent brazilian sought stymulation in the perfection of his life, preparing himself for eternity. Coats of Arms, honors and dignities did not manage to influence his spirit. His figure hid a great modesty and the best virtues. Of his marriage to the Countess of Prates he left four sons: Count Guilherme prates, Eduardo dos Santos Prates and Joaquim dos Santos Prates and Dr. José Prates, already deceased.
On the 22nd of March, 1928, the people of São Paulo was surprised by the desolating news of his death. A mourning sash sadly covered the city he loved so. Paulistan Society wept the desappearing of the one who in life made so much to dignify it.
Today, when we celebrate the centenary of his birth, the city of São Paulo, the men of his time and the institutions to which he belonged or that received his help, evoking the figure of one of the most complete men born to this blessed land, which is the pride of the Latin World, pay him revered homage of their always profound and living gratitude for all the goodness performed by him here and by the examples left by him.
May the prayers that today are lifted to the sky and the flowers which are deposited in the Holy Field be the unmistakeable symbol of endurance of the longing we feel for the undying memory of the unforgetable paulista Count.