Manuel Lopes Pereira Nunes was born in Margao, Goa. He was the son of Cypriano Silvério Rodrigues Nunes. He completed his mathematic studies in Goa with distinction. He then completed his military school in Portugal and eventually rose the ranks up the position of Major. He was part of the garrison of Macau in 1942. He died in Lisbon in 1847. His brother was Agostinho José Lopes Pereira Nunes.