José Vieira Couto de Magalhães

José Vieira Couto de Magalhães
Portrait by Almeida Júnior, 1888
President of São Paulo
In office 10 June 1889 – 16 November 1889
Preceded by	Antônio de Ulhoa Cintra
Succeeded by	1889 governative junta
President of Mato Grosso
In office 2 February 1867 – 13 April 1868
Preceded by	Albano de Sousa Osório
Succeeded by	João Batista de Oliveira
President of Pará
In office 29 July 1864 – 8 May 1866
Preceded by	João Maria de Morais
Succeeded by	Antônio Lacerda de Chermont
President of Goiás
In office 8 January 1863 – 5 April 1864
Preceded by	Bonifácio de Siqueira
Succeeded by	Bonifácio de Siqueira
Personal details
Born	(1837-11-01)1 November 1837 Diamantina, Empire of Brazil
Died	14 September 1898(1898-09-14) (aged 60) Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
Occupation	Politician; military officer; writer
Military service
Allegiance	Empire of Brazil
Branch/service	Imperial Brazilian Army
Rank	General
Battles/wars	Paraguayan War

José Vieira Couto de Magalhães (1 November 1837 - 14 September 1898) was a Brazilian politician, military officer, writer and folklorist.

Magalhães began his studies at Mariana Seminar. He studied mathematics at the Military Academy of Rio de Janeiro and attended the course in Field Artillery in London. He graduated from in law at São Paulo Law School in 1859.

Couto de Magalhães knew the interior of Brazil and was the initiator of steam navigation in the Brazilian Highlands. He has advised the State and MP for Goiás and Mato Grosso. He was president of the provinces of Goiás, January 8, 1863 to 5 April 1864, Pará, of July 29, 1864 to May 8, 1866, Mato Grosso, of February 2, 1867 to 13 April 1868 and São Paulo, from June 10 to November 16, 1889, during which the republic was proclaimed. Arrested and sent to Rio de Janeiro, Magalhães was released in recognition of his huge culture and actions of society for clearing the Brazilian backlands.

Magalhães spoke French, English, German, Italian, Tupi and numerous indigenous dialects. he was the one who started the folklore studies in Brazil, publishing O Selvagem (The Wild) (1876) and Testes de antropologia (Anthropology testing) (1894), among others.

He founded in 1885 the first astronomical observatory in the state of São Paulo, at his farm in Great Bridge on the River Tietê.

Couto de Magalhães is the patron in the following academies of letters:

• chair 31 of Academia Tocantinense de Letras;
• chair 19 of Academia Matogrossense de Letras;
• chair 11 of Academia Sul-matogrossense de Letras.

The cities of Couto de Magalhães de Minas in Minas Gerais and Couto de Magalhães in Tocantins are named after him.