Buenaventura Suarez, the astronomer of San Cosme (Guarani missions, Paraguay)

A Jesuit in the Guarani missions of Paraguay who taught himself mathematics and astronomy, built his own observing instruments out of forest hardwood where bronze or platinum was called for, corresponded with astronomers in Europe, and published a lunar almanac. A Buenos Aires essay of 1866 records both the achievement and the neglect - the community he served gave him no help, and his instruments ended among the lumber in mission granaries.