Casimiro José Marques de Abreu was a Brazilian Ultra Romantic poet, novelist and playwright. He was born on 4th January 1839 in Barra de São João (renamed “Casimiro de Abreu”) and died on 18th October 1860 in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil aged 21.
Major Works
“Camões e o Jau” (1856)
“Meus Oito Anos” (1858)
“As Primaveras” (Springtime) (1859)
Biography Timeline
1839: Casimiro José Marques de Abreu was born on 4th January in Barra de São João (renamed “Casimiro de Abreu” in his honour), Brazil. His parents José Joaquim Marques de Abreu and Luísa Joaquina das Neves were wealthy farmers.
1851: He receives a basic education at the Instituto Freeze, in Nova Friburgo, where he meets Pedro Luís Pereira de Sousa.
1852: His father sends him to Rio de Janeiro aged 12 to learn commerce very much against his wishes.
1853: He moves with his father to Portugal and begins writing for the newspapers “O Progresso” and “Ilustração Luso-Brasileira”. He collaborates with Alexandre Herculano and Luís Augusto Rebelo da Silva amongst others.
1856: He publishes his play “Camões e o Jau” (influenced by the poem “Camões” by Almeida Garrett) and a novel “Carolina” which is published as an insert in a newspaper. He also begins the novel “Camila” but never finishes it.
1857: He returns to Rio de Janeiro and writes for the newspapers “A Marmota”, “O Espelho”, “Revista Popular” and “Correio Mercantil”. While working for the “Correio, he meets Manuel Antônio de Almeida and Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis. He publishes “A Virgem Loura: Páginas do Coração”.
1858: He writes the poem “Meus Oito Anos” (My eight-years).
1859: Even though his father doesn’t approve of his literary career he finances the publication of the poetry book “As Primaveras” (Springtime) through which he has become best known.
1860: Now suffering from tuberculosis he moves Nova Friburgo in order to seek a cure.
Casimiro José Marques de Abreu died of tuberculosis on 18th October 1860 in Nova Friburgo, Rio de Janeiro State, Brazil and was buried there.
Further Information
List of works by Abreu.