ABSTRACT
The article discusses biographical aspects of Rodrigo Melo Franco de Andrade related to the period prior to his position as head of Serviço do Patrimônio Histórico e Artístico Nacional (Sphan), which began in 1936. The proposed approach is justified in view of the existence of numerous gaps related to Rodrigo’s trajectory in the period in question, which are relevant to understand the reasons for his appointment to the position of first director of the institution. The results of the research point to the importance of the cultural and political weight of the Melo Franco family, and its strong engagement in the Revolution of 1930, as decisive in this indication, as well as its association with the journalist Assis Chateaubriand, who put his journalistic enterprises at Vargas’ service. These aspects were decisive for Rodrigo’s indication to assume the position of director of Sphan, which seems predestined today, despite his alienation in relation to heritage preservation issues until then.
KEYWORDS:
Rodrigo Melo Franco de Andrade; Sphan; Biography; Heritage preservation