The Financial Intelligence of Eufrásia Teixeira Leite: an Entrepreneur ahead of her Time in the Nineteenth Century

Abstract

This article examines the life trajectory of Eufrásia Teixeira Leite, financier and Brazilian philanthropist of the nineteenth century, aiming to lead the reader to reflect on how one can manage his or her financial investments. Eufrásia multiplied the family inheritance and left a legacy to the city of Vassouras, which benefits directly and indirectly of such property. First, her biography is presented with details about her position as an investor and rentier. A description of Brazilian women education in the nineteenth century and early twentieth century, aiming to deepen mesological issues that were part of her daily life, then is made. The next section is the analysis of the financial intelligence and Eufrásia’s entrepreneurship, highlighting the legacy left in her will. The article concludes with reflections on the commitment that each person may have about the management of their money and the assistance that can be done through this, leaving various forms of assistantial works materialized. We conclude that the study of historical personalities helps intermissivists in order to have examples of how to materialize their existential program.