Ruy Barbosa de Oliveira was a Brazilian politician, jurist, lawyer, diplomat, writer, philologist, journalist, translator and orator. One of the best-known intellectuals of his time, he was appointed by Deodoro da Fonseca as a representative of the nascent republican government, becoming one of its main organizers, as well as co-authoring the constitution of the First Republic together with Prudente de Moraes. Ruy Barbosa was active in the defense of federalism, abolitionism and the promotion of individual rights and guarantees.