“Lillo the Wise”

his life beyond science

Abstract

This paper examines the figure of Miguel Lillo (1862–1931), a renowned naturalist from Tucumán, from a perspective that goes beyond his scientific work to explore lesser-known biographical, personal, and social aspects. Drawing on his extensive correspondence, personal objects, and documents preserved in the Miguel Lillo Archive (AML), it reconstructs dimensions of his life related to his family environment, his formative years, the influences he received, and his connections with scientists, collectors,
and disciples. The research sheds light on the intimate facets of a reserved, self-taught man, passionate about knowledge, whose trajectory was marked by austerity, rigor, and a profound naturalist vocation. The study also highlights the importance of his work at the Chemical Office of Tucumán, his relationship with Federico Schickendantz, and his contribution to the consolidation of the natural sciences in Argentina. Likewise, it underscores his national and international correspondence networks, which positioned him as a key reference among the naturalists of his time, and his involvement in academic and institutional projects such as the creation of the University of Tucumán and the First National Meeting of Natural Sciences in 1916. Beyond the image of the scientist, this paper reveals a man of multiple interests —photography, numismatics, bibliophilia— shaped by ideological tensions (such as his adherence to Freemasonry) and by concerns about the destiny of his collections and library, ultimately bequeathed to his province. In sum, it offers a comprehensive approach to Miguel Lillo, enabling us to understand him not only as a scientist but also as a cultural actor of his time, whose legacy transcends the strictly academic sphere to become part of historical and social heritage.