The production and dissemination of scientific knowledge on Brazil are prior to the opening of Brazilian ports to the commercial and navigating activities of European nations. Although the importance and novelty of the works of John Mawe, Thomas Lindley, Henry Koster, Maximilian the Wied-Neuwied and the baron of Eschwege remain unquestionable, the knowledge on Brazil became available to the 18th century Europeans through log-books, journals, maps and drawings produced by sailors, smugglers, corsairs and pirates, that travelled along the Brazilian coast during that period, as well as through the records created by learned men such as George Anson, James Cook, Joseph Banks, Charles Solander, and Arthur Bowes Smith. The goals of these accounts produced during the 18th century were: to correct the geography of the earth, to diminish the dangers of navigations and to improve the knowledge on Brazilian uses, arts and natural products.
scientific knowledge - Colonial Brazil; logs and journals; smuggling of information