José Vicente Barbosa du Bocage

José Vicente Barbosa du Bocage (2 May 1823 – 3 November 1907) was a Portuguese zoologist, politician, and professor. He served as a professor of zoology and director of the National Museum of Natural History and Science at the Polytechnic Institute of Lisbon, where he played a role in the development of Portuguese zoological collections and research. Bocage’s scientific work led to the description of numerous species, particularly of Portuguese and African fauna, and he published extensively on taxonomy, advancing zoological knowledge in Portugal and its overseas territories.

Bocage held public offices, including Minister of the Navy and Oversea. He was involved in colonial and geographical policy, co-founding the Lisbon Geographic Society and representing Portugal at the Berlin Conference, where he advocated for Portuguese claims in Africa. His contributions to Portuguese science and colonial administration are commemorated in the names of several species, such as two lizards and two bird species.