José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva (Portuguese pronunciation: [ʒoˈzɛ boniˈfasju dʒi ɐ̃ˈdɾadɐ i ˈsiwvɐ], 13 June 1763 – 6 April 1838); was a Brazilian statesman, naturalist, mineralist, professor and poet, born in Santos, São Paulo, then part of the Portuguese Empire. He was one of the most important mentors of Brazilian independence, and his actions were decisive for the success of Emperor Pedro I. He supported public education, was an abolitionist and suggested that a new national capital be created in Brazil's underdeveloped interior (effected over a century later as Brasília). His career as naturalist was marked by the discovery of four new minerals.
