Antônio da Silva Jardim

Antônio da Silva Jardim (18 August 1860 — 1 July 1891) was a Brazilian lawyer and journalist. He was a political activist in the abolitionist and republican movements, particularly in Rio de Janeiro state.

Early life He was born in Vila de Nossa Senhora da Lapa de Capivari, which later changed its name to commemorate him. He was the son of Gabriel da Silva Jardim and Felismina Leopoldina de Mendonça. His father was a humble teacher in Capivara. Antônio was sent to Niterói to study, initially at the Colégio Silva Pontes. In 1874 he enrolled at the Colégio de São Bento, where he studied Portuguese, French, geography and Latin. He also helped found a student magazine which provided the starting point for his political life and his campaign for liberty. He worked to pay his way, and was eventually employed by the school where he studied.

Death He therefore decided to retire from politics and travel overseas to rest, clear his ideas and discovering new people and places. He went to Portugal, France, Holland, Belgium and England.

As reported in the magazine A Pátria Mineira on 29 June 1891, the death of Silva Jardim was an accident, according to a guide and his friend Joaquim Carneiro de Mendonça. According to this account Silva Jardim was swallowed up by a vent while Carneiro de Mendonça was able to save himself with the help of the local guide, although he was injured.

After his death his wife gave birth to their fourth child. Because of the hardship his family found itself in, the Chamber of Deputies voted to grant her a pension.

Legacy The municipality of Silva Jardim in Rio de Janeiro took its name from the journalist. Another municipality to adopt a form of his name was Jardinópolis, in São Paulo, in 1896.

Works O General Osório (1879) A Crítica de Escada Abaixo (1880) Memórias e Viagens (1891, published posthumously) Propaganda Republicana (1978, published posthumously)