The present study is a result of an investigation centred on António José de Lima Leitão, surgeon of the Infantry Regiment nº 2 of Lagos, Algarve. In it we present his activity as military surgeon, physician, teacher, politician and writer in different moments of his life. First, in the service of the Napoleonic Army as surgeon and then in Portugal as a physician and professor of medicine at the Medical-Surgical School of Lisbon.

Keywords:
Lima Leitão; Surgeon of the Infantry Regiment nº 2 of Lagos