Magalhães, João Jacinto de (1722-1790).

João Jacinto de Magalhães was born in the Portuguese town of Aveiro on November 4, 1722. He is better known to the English-speaking world by the name he published most of his works under, Jean-Hyacinthe Magalhães . He claimed to be a descendant of the Portuguese explorer, Fernão Magalhãaes (Ferdinande Magalhães, c. 1490 - 1521). At the age of eleven Magalhães went to an Augustinian monastery in Coimbra in which he spent the next twenty years living and studying, first as a novice and later as a monk. It was during this time that Magalhães became familiar with science, particularly astronomy. In 1751 Magalhães served as the guide during Gabriel de Bory's visit to Portugal to observe a solar eclipse. A few years later he decided to leave the monastic life in order to fully pursue scientific research. Between 1755 and 1764 Magalhães traveled through Europe, serving as a tutor to various youths on continental tours, until finally settling in England. By 1766 he was in communication with several members of the Royal Society of England

Whereas Magalhães published few items of original work, his importance to modern scientific historians lies in the volumes of his correspondence with the internationally renowned scientists of his day. He was interested in the latest developments in chemistry and experimental physics, and became a link for the exchange of new information. He is credited with introducing English scientific instruments, and the work of Joseph Priestley (APS member 1785) to the scientific community in France.

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