Born in 1736 in Monestier de Briançon, Jácome Ratton rose to prominence as a central figure among the foreign industrialist class in Portugal. Throughout his career, he operated as a diverse entrepreneur, balancing international trade with the management of large-scale manufacturing enterprises while serving as a long-term member of the influential Real Junta de Commercio.
Early Career and Expansion
Ratton arrived in Portugal at fourteen to join his father, who had already established mercantile links in the country. Following a rigorous education in France, he applied his focus to modernising production methods. He managed a wide portfolio of businesses, including dye-works, paper manufacturing in Elvas, and textile milling in Tomar. His Tomar mill held the distinction of being the first in Portugal to employ modern machinery. Beyond industrial manufacturing, he traded in diverse goods ranging from Bohemian glass and cognac to cloth, while also investing in sea-salt production at his estate in Barroca d’Alva.
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Though he maintained a complex relationship with the administrative elite, Ratton acted as an advisor to the Marquis of Pombal. He eventually secured a position on the Real Junta de Commercio, Agricultura, e Navegação, a role he held for twenty-two years. His service led to his appointment as a Knight of the Order of Christ and recognition as a nobleman of the royal household. His influence extended to the introduction of non-native flora, including the eucalyptus and the Araucaria tree, to the Portuguese landscape.
Conflict and Exile
The arrival of French forces in 1807 created political instability for the foreign merchant community. Despite his friendship with General Paul Thiébault, Ratton faced severe repercussions. In 1810, the Regency government removed him from the Junta and ordered his arrest. After being sent to the island of Terceira in the Azores, he secured exile in England. He resided in London for several years, eventually relocating to Paris, where he died in 1820. He chose not to return to Portugal despite an invitation from the King.
Literary Legacy
In 1813, while living in London, Ratton published his memoirs, titled Recordaçoens de Jacome Ratton sobre ocurrencias do seu tempo em Portugal de Maio de 1747 Setembro de 1810. These documents provide a detailed account of the economic environment of the period and his personal experiences, including the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. His son, Diogo Ratton, continued this tradition of economic commentary, later proposing various reforms for the Portuguese commercial tribunal system.
Fast facts
- Born: 1736, Monestier de Briançon
- Died: 1820, Paris
- Citizenship: Kingdom of Portugal
- Occupation: Entrepreneur and businessperson
- Known for: Memoirs published in 1813
- Award: Knight of the Order of Christ
- Key Industry: Textile mill in Tomar
Questions readers ask
What industries did Jácome Ratton operate?
He managed textile mills, paper mills, dye-works, hat factories, and sea-salt production facilities.
Where did Ratton live after his exile from Portugal?
He lived in England from 1810 until approximately 1816, before moving to Paris for the remainder of his life.
Achievements
- Knight of the Order of Christ
