José Bonifácio de Andrada

José Bonifácio de Andrada was a prominent Brazilian statesman, naturalist, and poet who served as the primary political advisor to Emperor Pedro I. Because of his crucial role in organizing Brazil's independence, he is famously known as the "Patriarch of Independence."

In 1822, Andrada was appointed as Pedro I's Minister of Kingdom and Foreign Affairs, effectively making him the chief architect of the new empire. He was instrumental in convincing Dom Pedro to declare "Independência ou Morte!" and remain in Brazil rather than return to Portugal.

Before entering politics, Andrada was a highly respected scientist who discovered four new minerals and made significant contributions to geology and botany in the late 18th century. He was a leading member of the Portuguese Academy of Sciences and spent years studying the natural resources of Portugal and its colonies.

Despite his foundational role in 1822, Andrada's radical democratic views clashed with Emperor Pedro I's autocratic style, leading to his exile in 1823. He was allowed to return to Brazil years later to tutor the young Emperor Pedro II, but he never regained his former political dominance.