José do Canto
Encyclopedia
José do Canto was Azorean landowner and intellectual who distinguished himself as a bibliographer and promoter new agricultural technologies and species into the Azores
. He was a renowned gardener and botanist responsible for the creation of botanical garden, that later bore his name (Jardim José do Canto), in Ponta Delgada
. He was also a philosophical romantic and fan of Luís de Camões
; his holdings included a large number of rare books in various languages, which were incorporated into the Azorean public library and regional archive.
and Faial
. He was the brother of the bibliographer Ernesto do Canto.
His father was culturally well-educated for the time, and was directly responsible for the education of his children. Young José began his studies at the age of 5 years, supported by a keen intellect, that allowed him to vault over the weak system of education in the public system at the time. He demonstrated a great intelligence and application, easily learning Latin
and completing his studies by the age of 9 years. José was also able, at ten years, to read the works of Cato the Younger
in the original Latin. José Caetano sent his son to Paris
in 1838, to the Colégio de Fontenay-aux-Roses, then led by the Miguelist friar
José da Sacra Famíl]], but José did not adapt to his environment and quickly returned to the Azores.
In 1840, he began his studies at the University of Coimbra in the Faculty of Mathematics, briefly interrupted by his arranged marriage to a rich heiress of local winemaker with lands in São Miguel and Faial, D. Maria Guilhermina Taveira Brum da Silveira. At the time, she was only 15 years old and he was 7 years her senior, but immediately set about administering the large holdings that pertained to his young wife. With a great determination and vision, he introduced many changes to the properties and initiated new agricultural techniques into production.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, he was never interested in politics. When he was asked to be a deputy in the local assembly, he refused, and published a small manifesto on the reasons for declining the invitation. In all, he had a role in influencing the Portuguese government into authorizing the construction of a port for Ponta Delgada. But even with his aversion to politics, he did preside in the Junta Geral in the District of Ponta Delgada
in 1878.
José do Canto was charitable philanthropist, financing social institutions, including one in Ribeira Grande. He was a partner in the Lisbon Science Academy, elected on July 9, 1897 and received many scientific and cultural awards for his contributions.
, he would acclimatize and seed several plant species, including the Camellia
and Cryptomeria
, today both found throughout the archipelago
.
Interested in gardens, gardening and botany, José do Canto conceived the construction of a large park, on the English-style, in the areas north of Ponta Delgada, on lands that pertained to his wife. Today, known as Jardim José do Canto, near the old chapel of Santana, the park is an example of the Victorian
garden park, with an abundance of botanical species and rich manicured grounds. Its construction began in 1845, under the supervision of José do Canto and his London architect David Mocatta
, and comprises 6 hectares and more the 6000 species of trees and bush species, representing a cross-section of period gardens created by many of the Azorean families after the 18th Century. It shares a contiguous border with the gardens of the Palace of Santana, the residence of the President of the Government of the Azores, and within its walls there are many constructions, including the monument to José do Canto, a manor home (in the 18th Century-style), an old Victorian-esque greenhouse adapted as a pavilion, and the aforementioned Chapel of Santana (constructed in the 17th Century). These structures, park and Palace grounds have been classified as an Imóvel de Interesse Público (English: Property of Public Interest) by the government of the Azores, and functions as a local tourist attraction in Ponta Delgada by the Regional Government.
(English: Our Lady of Victories), on the margins of Furnas lake (Portuguese: Lagoa das Furnas). The chapel in a French neo-gothic-style has been similarly classified as Imovel de Interresse Público. Around the chapel there is also another park, similarly constructed by José do Canto in order to acclimatize new plants that he imported.
, who collected a personal library of 18,000 titles, edited during the 18th Century, including a first-edition example of the Os Lusíadas. The collection resulted from successive purchases made in the Azores and in various book-dealers throughout Portugal, France and England. His collection, since May 1942, has been an integral part of the collection of the Biblioteca Pública e Arquivo Regional de Ponta Delgada (English: Public Library and Regional Archive of Ponta Delgada). José do Canto's collection of writings by Camões, which includes various public editions of the Os Lusíadas until 1898 (his death) totaling 110 editions, published between 1572 and 1892. Also included were 105 editions in various languages, including Hungarian, German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian and Japanese.
The collection contains the first-editions of José do Canto's contemporary authors, such as Alexandre Herculano
, Antero de Quental
, Camilo Castelo Branco
and Eça de Queirós, as well as the first editions of works by Charles Darwin
, Alexandre Dumas and Alexandre Dumas.
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
. He was a renowned gardener and botanist responsible for the creation of botanical garden, that later bore his name (Jardim José do Canto), in Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada is a city and municipality on the island of São Miguel in the archipelago of the Azores, an autonomous region of Portugal. It includes 44,403 residents in the urban area, and approximately 20,113 inhabitants in the three central parishes that comprise the historical city: São Pedro,...
. He was also a philosophical romantic and fan of Luís de Camões
Luís de Camões
Luís Vaz de Camões is considered Portugal's and the Portuguese language's greatest poet. His mastery of verse has been compared to that of Shakespeare, Vondel, Homer, Virgil and Dante. He wrote a considerable amount of lyrical poetry and drama but is best remembered for his epic work Os Lusíadas...
; his holdings included a large number of rare books in various languages, which were incorporated into the Azorean public library and regional archive.
Biography
José do Canto was the son José Caetano Dias do Canto e Medeiros, a rich politician, and wife Margarida Isabel Botelho, both connected to the more important and rich families on the islands of São MiguelSão Miguel
-Brazil:* São Miguel, Brazil, Rio Grande do Norte* Barra de São Miguel, Alagoas, a municipality in the State of Alagoas* Barra de São Miguel, Paraíba, a municipality in the State of Paraíba* São Miguel do Aleixo, a municipality in the State of Sergipe...
and Faial
Faial
Faial is a Portuguese word derived from faya, referring to a species of plant/tree, Myrica faya.It may also refer to:=In the archipelago of the Azores*Faial Island, an island in the Central Group of islands...
. He was the brother of the bibliographer Ernesto do Canto.
His father was culturally well-educated for the time, and was directly responsible for the education of his children. Young José began his studies at the age of 5 years, supported by a keen intellect, that allowed him to vault over the weak system of education in the public system at the time. He demonstrated a great intelligence and application, easily learning Latin
Latin
Latin is an Italic language originally spoken in Latium and Ancient Rome. It, along with most European languages, is a descendant of the ancient Proto-Indo-European language. Although it is considered a dead language, a number of scholars and members of the Christian clergy speak it fluently, and...
and completing his studies by the age of 9 years. José was also able, at ten years, to read the works of Cato the Younger
Cato the Younger
Marcus Porcius Cato Uticensis , commonly known as Cato the Younger to distinguish him from his great-grandfather , was a politician and statesman in the late Roman Republic, and a follower of the Stoic philosophy...
in the original Latin. José Caetano sent his son to Paris
Paris
Paris is the capital and largest city in France, situated on the river Seine, in northern France, at the heart of the Île-de-France region...
in 1838, to the Colégio de Fontenay-aux-Roses, then led by the Miguelist friar
Friar
A friar is a member of one of the mendicant orders.-Friars and monks:...
José da Sacra Famíl]], but José did not adapt to his environment and quickly returned to the Azores.
In 1840, he began his studies at the University of Coimbra in the Faculty of Mathematics, briefly interrupted by his arranged marriage to a rich heiress of local winemaker with lands in São Miguel and Faial, D. Maria Guilhermina Taveira Brum da Silveira. At the time, she was only 15 years old and he was 7 years her senior, but immediately set about administering the large holdings that pertained to his young wife. With a great determination and vision, he introduced many changes to the properties and initiated new agricultural techniques into production.
Unlike many of his contemporaries, he was never interested in politics. When he was asked to be a deputy in the local assembly, he refused, and published a small manifesto on the reasons for declining the invitation. In all, he had a role in influencing the Portuguese government into authorizing the construction of a port for Ponta Delgada. But even with his aversion to politics, he did preside in the Junta Geral in the District of Ponta Delgada
Ponta Delgada (district)
The District of Ponta Delgada was a district of the Ilhas Adjacentes , consisting of the dependent eastern islands of the archipelago, located in the Atlantic Ocean...
in 1878.
José do Canto was charitable philanthropist, financing social institutions, including one in Ribeira Grande. He was a partner in the Lisbon Science Academy, elected on July 9, 1897 and received many scientific and cultural awards for his contributions.
Gardener and botanist
He contracted foreign technicians, investigates the research of international agricultural specialists, and initiates a tentative reform in the Micalense practices used on his families' lands. In order to mobilize forces in his project, he promotes the founding of the Sociedade Promotora da Agricultura Micaelense (English: Promotional Society of Micalense Agriculture), while developing new agricultural species and techniques. José do Canto helped publish the periodical Agricultor Micaelense, a mouthpiece of the Society, and likely one of the first Portuguese agricultural publications. Among the new cultures installed under his supervision were the cultivation of pineapple and tea. On his properties, near and around Ponta Delgada and FurnasFurnas
Furnas is a civil parish in the municipality of Povoação on the island of São Miguel in the Azores. The population in 2001 was 1,541, its density is 44.76/km² and the area is 34.43 km². The parish is one of the largest in the island and in the Azores...
, he would acclimatize and seed several plant species, including the Camellia
Camellia
Camellia, the camellias, is a genus of flowering plants in the family Theaceae. They are found in eastern and southern Asia, from the Himalaya east to Korea and Indonesia. There are 100–250 described species, with some controversy over the exact number...
and Cryptomeria
Cryptomeria
Cryptomeria is a monotypic genus of conifer in the cypress family Cupressaceae formerly belonging to the family Taxodiaceae; it includes only one species, Cryptomeria japonica . It is endemic to Japan, where it is known as Sugi...
, today both found throughout the archipelago
Azores
The Archipelago of the Azores is composed of nine volcanic islands situated in the middle of the North Atlantic Ocean, and is located about west from Lisbon and about east from the east coast of North America. The islands, and their economic exclusion zone, form the Autonomous Region of the...
.
Interested in gardens, gardening and botany, José do Canto conceived the construction of a large park, on the English-style, in the areas north of Ponta Delgada, on lands that pertained to his wife. Today, known as Jardim José do Canto, near the old chapel of Santana, the park is an example of the Victorian
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
garden park, with an abundance of botanical species and rich manicured grounds. Its construction began in 1845, under the supervision of José do Canto and his London architect David Mocatta
David Mocatta
David Mocatta was a British architect and a member of the Anglo-Jewish Mocatta family.-Biography:Mocatta studied in London from 1821 to 1827 under Sir John Soane and travelled in Italy...
, and comprises 6 hectares and more the 6000 species of trees and bush species, representing a cross-section of period gardens created by many of the Azorean families after the 18th Century. It shares a contiguous border with the gardens of the Palace of Santana, the residence of the President of the Government of the Azores, and within its walls there are many constructions, including the monument to José do Canto, a manor home (in the 18th Century-style), an old Victorian-esque greenhouse adapted as a pavilion, and the aforementioned Chapel of Santana (constructed in the 17th Century). These structures, park and Palace grounds have been classified as an Imóvel de Interesse Público (English: Property of Public Interest) by the government of the Azores, and functions as a local tourist attraction in Ponta Delgada by the Regional Government.
Architecture
José do Canto is also credited with the construction of the Chapel of Nossa Senhora das VitóriasChapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias (Furnas)
The Chapel of Nossa Senhora das Vitórias , dedicated to Our Lady of the Victories, a small funerary chapel on the southwestern corner of Lagoa das Furnas in the civil parish of Furnas, on the Azorean island of São Miguel.-History:...
(English: Our Lady of Victories), on the margins of Furnas lake (Portuguese: Lagoa das Furnas). The chapel in a French neo-gothic-style has been similarly classified as Imovel de Interresse Público. Around the chapel there is also another park, similarly constructed by José do Canto in order to acclimatize new plants that he imported.
Bibliographer
José do Canto was also a bibliographer, and fan of Luís de CamõesLuís de Camões
Luís Vaz de Camões is considered Portugal's and the Portuguese language's greatest poet. His mastery of verse has been compared to that of Shakespeare, Vondel, Homer, Virgil and Dante. He wrote a considerable amount of lyrical poetry and drama but is best remembered for his epic work Os Lusíadas...
, who collected a personal library of 18,000 titles, edited during the 18th Century, including a first-edition example of the Os Lusíadas. The collection resulted from successive purchases made in the Azores and in various book-dealers throughout Portugal, France and England. His collection, since May 1942, has been an integral part of the collection of the Biblioteca Pública e Arquivo Regional de Ponta Delgada (English: Public Library and Regional Archive of Ponta Delgada). José do Canto's collection of writings by Camões, which includes various public editions of the Os Lusíadas until 1898 (his death) totaling 110 editions, published between 1572 and 1892. Also included were 105 editions in various languages, including Hungarian, German, English, French, Italian, Spanish, Russian and Japanese.
The collection contains the first-editions of José do Canto's contemporary authors, such as Alexandre Herculano
Alexandre Herculano
Alexandre Herculano de Carvalho e Araújo , was a Portuguese novelist and historian.-Early life:...
, Antero de Quental
Antero de Quental
Antero Tarquínio de Quental , old spelling Anthero, , a Portuguese poet, philosopher and writer, whose works became a milestone in the Portuguese language, alongside those of Camões or Bocage....
, Camilo Castelo Branco
Camilo Castelo Branco
Camilo Ferreira Botelho Castelo-Branco,1st Viscount de Correia Botelho , was a prolific Portuguese writer of the 19th century, having authored over 260 books . His writing is, overall, considered original in that it combines the dramatic and sentimental spirit of Romanticism with a highly personal...
and Eça de Queirós, as well as the first editions of works by Charles Darwin
Charles Darwin
Charles Robert Darwin FRS was an English naturalist. He established that all species of life have descended over time from common ancestry, and proposed the scientific theory that this branching pattern of evolution resulted from a process that he called natural selection.He published his theory...
, Alexandre Dumas and Alexandre Dumas.