The reform of Pombal in the history of the University

Abstract

This text, which is part of a more comprehensive one on the same subject, corresponds to a first attempt to characterize the circumstances under which the University of Coimbra was operating in the second half of 19^th century. After argueing with the set idea on the «Napoleonic» mark of the Portuguese University, specially the University of Coimbra under constitutional monarchism, the author brings this corporate body back to its original source, i.e. the reform of Pombal in 1772. By analysing the earliest background of the illuministic reform of the University, the author tries to find out a first explanation for the remarkable durability of this institution, and to understand the amnesia of its genesis, as well.