Resumen de Bernardino Rivadavia y las Ciencias Naturales
Bernardino Rivadavia and the Natural Sciences. The contributions of Rivadavia to the developmentof science in general, and in particular the natural sciences are analyzed during the Revolución de Mayo andsubsequent years. His contributions are highlighted in four stages, first as Secretary of the Primer Triunvirato(1811-1812), then as Plenipotentiary Minister in Europe (1814-1820), continuing as Minister of the Governorof Buenos Aires (1821-1824), and finally as President (1826-1827). The four stages have in common a constantconcern for science education, by creating and restoring academic institutions, and the aggrandizement of thecountry. The events of those years with very critical situations, such as the “Conspiracy of the Spanish”, themaintenance of the independence army, the war with the Brazilian Empire, besides the local fighting, despite itsgravity, not deviating him from his deep convictions that science would contribute to the future development ofthe country. The University of Buenos Aires and the Natural History Museum should be eternally grateful to himfor their foundation and initial impulses.
