Speaker
Description
We examine the life and military-scientific contributions of Agustín Codazzi (1793-1859), highlighting his pivotal role as a pioneer of applied physics and technical education in Latin America. Drawing on his solid European scientific training at the prestigious Scuola Teorético-Pratica d'Artiglieria in Pavia, Codazzi became a key figure in the institutionalization of science education, particularly analytical mechanics, geodesy, and military engineering, along with the challenging development of a modern geography of the Amazon region and military strategy, always grounded in mathematics, in both Venezuela and New Granada (present-day Colombia). His work transcends traditional cartography to establish the foundations of modern science education, introducing rigorous physical principles into the training of engineers and military officers. His contributions provided the essential foundations for the development of applied physics, territorial defense, and state administration in these emerging republics.
