Citizen of the World. A Scientific Biography of the Abbé Correia da Serra

Research output: Book/ReportBook

Abstract

José Correia da Serra (1751-1823), known as Abbé Correia da Serra, and internationally simply as Abbé, is a paradigmatic case of a citizen of the world. A man of science of Portuguese nationality he saw himself as a member of a borderless community, the Republic of Letters. The life and work of Correia da Serra are intertwined: often persecuted in Portugal due to his links to the freemasons, he travelled in Italy and Spain and lived in Italy, England and France where he befriended renowned naturalists and engaged with them in lively scientific and philosophical discussions. He then moved to the USA where he lived for eight years and became involved in the consolidation of local scientific communities. The Abbé was thrilled with the possibilities the new country had to offer. He established a lasting relationship with Thomas Jefferson and imprinted a mark on the American scientific community. Jefferson referred to his Portuguese friend as “the best digest of science in books, men, and things that I have ever met”; other American intellectuals called him “our Socrates” or “the Franklin of Portugal”. The memory and impact of Correia da Serra’s stay in the US still lives today in the “Abbé's room”, in Monticello.
Original languageUnknown
Place of PublicationSan Francisco
PublisherInstitute of Governmental Studies/University of Berkeley Press
Edition1st
ISBN (Print)978-0-9819336-1-0
Publication statusPublished - 1 Jan 2012

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