Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st Marquis of Pombal
Early life

Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo (Portuguese pronunciation:) was born in Sernancelhe, Viseu, Portugal, the son of Manuel de Carvalho e Ataíde, a country squire with properties in the Leiria region, and of his wife Teresa Luísa de Mendonça e Melo. His uncle, Paulo de Carvalho, was a politically-influential cleric and professor at the University of Coimbra. During his youth Sebastião José studied at the University of Coimbra and then served briefly in the army, reaching the rank of corporal, before returning to academic study. He then moved to Lisbon and eloped with Teresa de Mendonça e Almada (1689–1737), the niece of the Count of Arcos. The marriage was a turbulent one, as she had married him against her family's wishes. Her parents made life unbearable for the young couple; they eventually moved to Melo properties near Pombal. Sebastião José continued his academic pursuits, studying law and history and securing admission in 1734 to a royal historical society.

Sebastião José was fluent in Portuguese and French.
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