A Junta de Educação Nacional (JEN) e o apoio à Investigação Científica de Egas Moniz: Novas Interpretações Historiográficas

Abstract

The role of the state in supporting Egas Moniz in his scientific investigation has not hitherto been examined in historical research studies. Following the granting of access to the archives of the Camões Institute and an examination of documentary evidence on the National Education Board (JEN), an urgent need has been revealed for launching a new research agenda focusing on historiographical concerns. This preliminary study has highlighted the board's active support for the scientific research carried out by Egas Moniz from 1929 to 1936. This research demonstrates how the image constructed by Egas Moniz, of a scientist purposely denied help by the Portuguese government, which has been portrayed in studies up until the present, is at odds with the facts as evidenced by sources from the archives we propose to investigate.