Baptista Caetano de Almeida: um mecenas do projeto civilizatório em São João dEl-Rei no início do século XIX - a biblioteca, a imprensa e a sociedade literária

Abstract

The foundation of the Public Library of São João dEl-Rei is discussed and Baptista Caetano de Almeida, its founder, is presented in the overall context of that village at the beginning of the 19th century. The Brazilian society is described from the time of the discovery up to the end of the 18th century and beginning of the 19th century. Special attention is given to the mining society and specifically to the case of the village of São João dEl-Rei in that context. Aspects related to books and libraries, the press and literary societies from that period are shown from a historical point of view. The theoretical and methodological aspects of the research are presented as well as the primary sources used, particularly the records of São João dEl-Rei City Council and the newspaper Astro de Minas (edicions between 1827 and 1839). The close relationship between the institutions (the library, the press and the literary society) and the overall cultural and historical context become clear as a result of this research. The role of Baptista Caetano de Almeida is also revealed as one of great importance due to his contribution to the civilizing of that region. He was an idealistic man of a visionary character, who shared Enlightenment ideals and saw in those institutions a way to contribute to a break from ignorance and barbarianism, in order to construct a national identity.