Sousa Caldas | |
|---|---|
 Portrait byManuel Dias de Oliveira | |
| Born | Antônio Pereira de Sousa Caldas (1762-11-24)November 24, 1762 Rio de Janeiro City, Rio de Janeiro,Portuguese Colony of Brazil |
| Died | March 2, 1814(1814-03-02) (aged 51) Rio de Janeiro City, Rio de Janeiro, Portuguese Colony of Brazil |
| Occupation | Orator, poet, priest |
| Nationality | Portuguese Empire |
| Alma mater | University of Coimbra |
| Literary movement | Neoclassicism |
| Notable works | Ode ao Homem Natural,Poesias Sacras e Profanas |
Antônio Pereira de Sousa Caldas (November 24, 1762 – March 2, 1814)[1] was a Brazilian poet, priest and orator, patron of the 34th chair of theBrazilian Academy of Letters.
Sousa Caldas was born in 1762, to Portuguese merchant Luís Pereira de Sousa and Ana Maria de Sousa. Since he was a small boy, he had a vocation for literature, and, at only 8 years old, he was sent toLisbon, to live under the care of an uncle. With 16 years old, he entered theUniversity of Coimbra, where he learnt mathematics andcanon law.
In 1781, he was arrested by theInquisition because of his ideals, influenced by theEnlightenment. Transferred to the convent of Rilhafoles, he was catechized for six months. After thecatechism, he became a fully different person, discovering his sacerdotal vocation. However, he did not abandoned his philosophical and satirical poetry, writing the poemOde ao Homem Natural in 1784. It is attributed to him the satireO Reino da Estupidez. He also published the poemOde ao Homem Selvagem.[2][3]
After graduating in the canon law course in 1789, he travelled to France andGenoa. In Genoa, he wrote theodeA Criação and abandoned the satirical poetry.
In 1801, he returns toRio de Janeiro to visit his mother, settling permanently in the town. During his final years in Rio, he wrote many letters for his friends, but only five of them exist today.
He died in 1814.
| Preceded by New creation |  Brazilian Academy of Letters –Patron of the 34th chair | Succeeded by João Manuel Pereira da Silva (founder) |
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