Carlos Antônio Napion (30 October 1757 – 22 June 1814), originally from Piedmont, was an engineer who became a general in the Portuguese army in Brazil.

[3] In 1800 the French army occupied Piedmont after the Battle of Marengo, and Napion moved to Portugal.

[2] He accompanied José Bonifácio and his brother Martim Francisco Ribeiro de Andrada in their mineralogical explorations of the province of São Paulo.

[3] Napion became the main authority on military technology of the time, fully supported by the Prince Regent John.

[2] It was said of Napion in this position that he had great knowledge and undoubted probity, but completely ignored the principles of military academies.