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29-651: The museum owes its existence to a proposal made by Bernardino Rivadavia before the First Triumvirate of the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata in 1812. The ongoing struggle for Independence from the Spanish colonial period stalled Rivadavia's project, however, until 1823, when he promoted construction of a building for the museum as a member of Governor Martín Rodríguez 's cabinet. The original museum opened in 1826 and

58-483: A geological collection centered on meteorites found in Argentina, a paleontology section notable for its Carnotaurus , Eoraptor , Herrerasaurus and Patagosaurus fossils, among others, and a Cenozoic paleontology display featuring Glyptodon , Macrauchenia , Megatherium and Smilodon fossils. Academics and the general public can also avail themselves of a science auditorium, an art gallery, library and

87-541: A café. Bernardino Rivadavia Bernardino de la Trinidad González Rivadavia (May 20, 1780 – September 2, 1845) was the first President of Argentina , then called the United Provinces of the Río de la Plata , from February 8, 1826 to June 27, 1827. He was educated at the Royal College of San Carlos , but left without finishing his studies. During the British Invasions he served as Third Lieutenant of

116-707: A mausoleum in Plaza Miserere , adjacent to Rivadavia Avenue , named after him. Rivadavia was born in Buenos Aires on May 20, 1780, the fourth son of Benito Bernardino González de Rivadavia, a wealthy Spanish lawyer, and his first wife, María Josefa de Jesús Rodríguez de Rivadeneyra. Both parents were born in the Galician town of Monforte de Lemos . Because of his dark appearance it has been alleged Rivadavia had African ancestry. On December 14, 1809, Bernardino Rivadavia married Juana del Pino y Vera Mujica , daughter of

145-581: A mausoleum located in the Plaza Miserere, in Buenos Aires, adjacent to Rivadavia Avenue, named in their honor. Rivadavia is recognized as the first president of Argentina, even though his rule was accepted only in Buenos Aires, he did not complete a full mandate, there was no constitution for more than half of his rule, and did not start a presidential succession line. The chair of the President of Argentina

174-482: A payroll of about 6,500 researchers and 2,500 technicians working as employees in different categories, from investigador asistente (assistant researcher) to investigador principal (main researcher). Thirdly, it grants scholarships for doctoral and post-doctoral studies to 8,500 young researchers from Argentina and other countries. In 2022, CONICET was ranked as the best Latin American government research institution by

203-513: A strong influence, and focused heavily on improving the city of Buenos Aires , often at the expense of greater Argentina. To make the former look more European, Rivadavia constructed large avenues, schools, paved and lighted streets. He founded the University of Buenos Aires , as well as the Theatre , Geology , and Medicine Academies and the continent's first museum of natural science . He persuaded

232-438: Is known as the "chair of Rivadavia", but only metaphorically: Rivadavia took everything when he left office, including the chair, which could never be retrieved. Liberal historians praise Rivadavia as a great historical man , for his work improving education, culture and separation of church and state . Revisionist authors condemn his Anglophilia , the weak customs barriers that allowed the entry of big British imports, harming

261-619: The viceroy of the Río de la Plata , Joaquín del Pino and his second wife, the vicereine Rafaela Francisca de Vera Mujica y López Pintado. His military appointment was rejected by Mariano Moreno . Rivadavia was active in both the Argentine resistance to the British invasion of 1806 and in the May Revolution movement for Argentine Independence in 1810. In 1811, Rivadavia became the dominant member of

290-798: The Americas. Manuel Belgrano and Rivadavia were sent to Europe to seek support for the United Provinces from both Spain and Britain. They sought to promote the crowning of Francisco de Paula , son of Charles IV of Spain , as regent of the United Provinces, but in the end he refused to act against the interests of the King of Spain. The diplomatic mission was a failure, both in Spain and in Britain. He visited France as well, and returned to Buenos Aires in 1821, at their friends' request. During his stay in Britain, Rivadavia saw

319-556: The Galicia Volunteers. He participated in the open Cabildo on May 22, 1810 voting for the deposition of the viceroy. He had a strong influence on the First Triumvirate and shortly after he served as Minister of Government and Foreign Affairs of the Province of Buenos Aires. Although there was a General Congress intended to draft a constitution, the beginning of the War with Brazil led to

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348-655: The German naturalist Hermann Burmeister to stay in Buenos Aires. A visit to the museum followed in 1857. Recommended by Humboldt, Herman was appointed as its director in 1862. Burmeister founded the Argentine Paleontological Society in concert with the University of Buenos Aires and the Academy of Natural Sciences in Córdoba in 1870, extending the interest for the field to the nation's hinterland. Burmeister also founded

377-555: The Scimago Institutions Ranking and the 2nd among all research institutions in the region after the Universidade de São Paulo . At the global level, CONICET holds the 141st position among the most prestigious 8084 research institutions worldwide (including universities, governmental and private research institutions, research councils, etc.). This Argentine university, college, or tertiary institution related article

406-753: The construction in 1948 of the museum's annex, which housed the National Natural Sciences Institute. The museum was transferred to the National Research Council ( CONICET ) in 1996 and, continuing to thrive, an internet data bank was created for the museum in 2002. Besides the Natural Sciences Institute, the museum houses thirteen permanent exhibition halls, including an aquarium , a display with specimens collected from Argentina's numerous research stations in Antarctica ,

435-634: The governing triumvirate as Secretary of the Treasury and Secretary of War. Until its fall in October 1812, this government focused on creating a strong central government, moderating relations with Spain , and organizing an army . By 1814 the Spanish King Ferdinand VII had returned to the throne and started the Absolutist Restoration , which had grave consequences for the governments in

464-484: The growing development of the Industrial Revolution , and the rise of Romanticism . He sought to promote a similar development in Buenos Aires, and invited many people to move to the city. He convinced Aimé Bonpland to visit the country, but few other invitations were accepted. In June 1821, he was named minister of government to Buenos Aires by governor Martín Rodríguez . Over the next five years, he exerted

493-538: The immediate establishment of the office of President of Argentina ; with Rivadavia being the first to be named to the post. Argentina's Constitution of 1826 was promulgated later, but was rejected by the provinces. Strongly contested by his political party, Rivadavia resigned and was succeeded by Vicente López y Planes . Rivadavia retired to Spain, where he died in 1845. His remains were repatriated to Argentina in 1857, receiving honors as Captain General. His remains are in

522-563: The legislature to authorize a one-million pound loan for public works that were never undertaken. The provincial bonds were sold in London through the Baring Brothers Bank , local and Buenos Aires-based British traders also acting as financial intermediaries. The borrowed money was in turn lent to these businessmen, who never repaid it. Of the original million pounds the Buenos Aires government received only £552,700. The province's foreign debt

551-410: The museum started with a collection of 800 animal and 1500 mineral specimens, among others. Rivadavia also appointed a noted Italian astronomer , Ottaviano Fabrizio Mossotti , who installed the nation's first observatory , meteorological station and experimental physics laboratory during his tenure at the facility from 1828 to 1835. Among those who consulted the museum's growing staff of researchers

580-577: The museum's first periodical in 1874, opening the museum and its research to active peer review. Notable among the European researchers who took notice was Dutch zoologist Hendrik Weyenbergh, who arrived in Córdoba, where he founded the Argentine National Academy of Sciences. The museum published numerous works under Burmeister's direction, who also donated a sizable part of its growing collection for

609-759: The rising power of the Federalist Party and with several provinces in open revolt, Rivadavia submitted his resignation on June 27, 1827. He was succeeded by Vicente López y Planes . At first he returned to private life, but fled to exile in Europe in 1829. Rivadavia returned to Argentina in 1834 to confront his political enemies, but was immediately sentenced again to exile. He went first to Brazil and then to Spain, where he died on September 2, 1845. He asked that his body would never be brought back to Buenos Aires. However, his remains were repatriated to Argentina in 1857, receiving honors from Captain General. At present they rest in

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638-479: The sake of the new La Plata Museum in 1884. An accident at the museum cost its noted German Argentine director his life in 1892. The museum was later directed by zoologist Florentino Ameghino , its first Argentinian director. Ameghino incorporated adjoining buildings to the museum, which remained inadequate for its vast collection and facilities. Addressing this, Director Martín Doello-Jurado secured Congress ' authorization for new museum facilities in 1925. Built on

667-548: The weak Argentine economy of the time, and the Baring Brothers loan that started the Argentine external debt . CONICET The National Scientific and Technical Research Council ( Spanish : Consejo Nacional de Investigaciones Científicas y Técnicas , CONICET ) is an Argentine government agency which directs and co-ordinates most of the scientific and technical research done in universities and institutes. The National Scientific and Technical Research Council

696-465: The western end of Parque Centenario . The first wing of the new museum was given in 1929 and the institution was inaugurated in 1937. Part of the museum's collection was transferred to the University of Buenos Aires Ethnographic Museum during the administration of President Juan Perón , who dismissed Doello-Jurado in 1946 as part of a wider intervention in national academics. Perón, however, also ordered

725-530: Was Alexander von Humboldt , who requisitioned numerous meteorological studies for the Institut de France . The rise of the paramount Governor of Buenos Aires, Juan Manuel de Rosas , turned to be the renowned institution's undoing. Devoutly religious, Governor Rosas returned the convent to the Dominican order in October 1835, forcing the museum to relocate to smaller, nearby buildings. Much of its equipment and research

754-427: Was established on 5 February 1958 by a decree of the national government. Its first director was Nobel Laureate Bernardo A. Houssay . Governed by a board independent from the federal government, it funds scientific research in three basic ways. Firstly, it gives grants for collective work to research teams of well-recognized scientists of every discipline, including social sciences and the humanities. Secondly, it has

783-639: Was housed downtown in a loft inside the Santo Domingo Convent, which had been made available to host Rivadavia after his expulsion of the Dominican order from Buenos Aires. Rivadavia closely oversaw the construction of the institution, the first of its kind in South America, and appointed Italian Argentine botanist Carlos Ferraris as its first director. Receiving a large gift of materials and equipment from Presbyterian Minister Bartolomé Muñoz in 1813,

812-514: Was lost during the forced relocation, and Ferrari and Mossotti returned to Italy . Rosas' overthrow in 1852 helped lead to the creation of the Society of Friends of Natural History, who had the museum relocated in 1854 to the " Illuminated block ," the former Temple of St. Ignatius and its prestigious academy maintained by the Jesuits before their suppression in 1773. The recovering of the museum motivated

841-539: Was transferred to the nation in 1825, its final repayment being made in 1904. A strong supporter of a powerful, centralized government in Argentina, Rivadavia often faced violent resistance from the opposition federalists. In 1826, Rivadavia was elected the first President of Argentina . During his term he founded many museums, and expanded the national library . His government had many problems, primarily an ongoing war with Brazil over territory in modern Uruguay and resistance from provincial authorities. Faced with

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