José Bonifácio de Andrada e Silva (1763-1838) was a Brazilian-born statesman and natural scientist. He was prominent in scientific and governmental affairs in Portugal and later played an important part in Brazil's struggle for independence.

José Bonifácio de Andrada was born on June 13, 1763, in the Brazilian seaport of Santos. He attended secondary school in nearby São Paulo. At the age of 20 he entered the University of Coimbra in Portugal, where he obtained a degree in philosophy in 1787 and in law in 1788.

In 1790 the Portuguese government commissioned Andrada to make a scientific survey of several countries of Europe. This led him to study mining, mineralogy, and chemistry in Paris and mining in Saxony. The survey took 10 years and gained him a reputation as a natural scientist of note.

After his return to Portugal in 1800, Andrada was appointed general intendant of mines...