Sociedade Propagadora dos Conhecimentos Úteis

The Sociedade Propagadora dos Conhecimentos Úteis (Society for the Diffusion of Useful Knowledge) of Lisbon, Portugal, formed in 1837. The group produced a weekly illustrated magazine, O Panorama, intended for the general interest reader and priced relatively affordably. According to the society, some copies were also distributed free of charge to charities such as Casa Pia orphanage and Casa de Expostos.[1] Editors included Alexandre Herculano, António Feliciano de Castilho, and António de Oliveira Marreca.[2] Other contributors included Rodrigo Jose de Lima Felner.[3]

Cover of O Panorama, 1839, depicting scene in vicinity of Accra, Gold Coast

In addition to the magazine, the society published works by authors such as Luís da Silva Mouzinho de Albuquerque, José Ferreira Borges, Manuel Godinho de Erédia, Francisco José Freire, Almeida Garrett, and Inácio Pizarro de Morais Sarmento.[4] Its printing press operated from Rua do Carmo in Baixa Pombalina.

The society formed during a post-civil war era of liberalized civil society in Portugal.[5] Organizations with similar educational missions included the Sociedade das Ciências Médicas e da Literatura (est. 1833), Sociedade Promotora da Indústria Nacional (reactivated in 1834), Sociedade dos Amigos das Letras (est. 1836).^(pt)[5][1]