An overview on the history of actuarial calculus in Portugal until the late 19th century (Q777869)

This article does exactly as its title indicates: it provides an overview of the hitherto little-known subject of the development of actuarial science in Portugal during the 19th century, contextualised not only within the wider history of that subject, but also in connection with other developments in the study of statistics in 19th-century Portugal. After some brief introductory notes on the general history of actuarial science elsewhere in Europe, the article first looks at the establishment in Portugal from 1790 onwards of survivors' pensions for widows and orphans (\textit{montepios de sobrevivência}), with a particular focus on the role of the Portuguese government therein. The focus switches next to a similar analysis of Portuguese life assurance companies, leading to some brief comments on the emergence of the broader life assurance industry in the 20th century. The article concludes with three appendices which provide further context for the study: one on the place of the International Statistical Congresses in the story, another on actuarial education in Portugal (1884--1949), and a final one on professional organisations for actuaries in Portugal in the mid-20th century.