The botanist and the maecenas: João Barbosa Rodrigues and science in Brazil in the second half of the nineteenth century

This article analyzes the scientific activities of Brazilian naturalist João Barbosa Rodrigues and emphasizes his studies on Botany as far as the following aspects are concerned: natural History and Brazilian scientific policies from the second half of the nineteenth century on, the transformation of Barbosa Rodrigues from an amateur into a professional botanist, the relevant influence of Guilherme Schüch de Capanema as the patron of his career and his role in both national and international scientific scenario.

scientific patronage; nineteenth century; botany; Barbosa Rodrigues; baron of Capanema