High Quality Content by WIKIPEDIA articles! Sebastião José de Carvalho e Melo, 1st Count of Oeiras, 1st Marquis of Pombal ((Marquês de Pombal, Portuguese pronunciation: [m???ke? d? ?põba?]; 13 May 1699? 15 May 1782) was an 18th century Portuguese statesman. He was Minister of the Kingdom (the equivalent to a today's prime minister) in the government of Joseph I of Portugal from 1750 to 1777. Undoubtedly the most prominent minister in the government, he is considered today to have been the de facto head of government. Pombal is notable for his swift and competent leadership in the aftermath of the 1755 Lisbon earthquake. In addition he implemented sweeping economic policies in Portugal to regulate commercial activity and standardize quality throughout the country.