Rodrigo Augusto da Silva (Sao Paulo, December 7, 1833 — October 17, 1889) a Brazilian senator for life, minister and a privy counsellor of Emperor Peter II of Brazil. He was a member of the Silva de Carvalho family from São Paulo, the son of José Manuel da Silva (Baron of Tiete) and nephew of financier Benedito Antonio da Silva. Senator Silva is best known as the minister that authored and countersigned with Princess Isabel, then Princess Imperial Regent of Brazil the Golden Law (Lei Áurea); this law ended slavery in Brazil and in consequence the Western world. Together with his friend Antonio da Silva Prado and the Viscount of Maua he was among the promoters of the industrialization of Brazil.

In order to approve the Golden Law Rodrigo Silva had to defend it in the parliament on May 9, 1888. He received heavy attacks from members of his own party. The discussion became emotive and even attacks on the character of the Minister were exposed by other parliamentarians, they pointed that he was once against abolition. Answering to one of these parliamentarians Rodrigo Silva said:“Compared to a question of this magnitude, all individualities are mere demean.” Joaquim Nabuco came to his rescue and added: “Or ennoble, such is the case of your Excellency” Rodrigo da Silva ended the discussion with these words: