Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira: um cientista brasileiro do século XVIII

Abstract

The text contains biographical information about Alexandre Rodrigues Ferreira, a Brazilian scientist that worked for the Portuguese crown. Because of his dedication to his studies, the Portuguese government called him to organize and undertake aphilosophical trip through the Amazonian region in order to evaluate its economic possibilities. It is made an approach of his scientific works, the obstacles he faced and his successes, as well as the authorities lack preoccupation with the scientific material he collected and the fact that it has become scattered.