About
João Guimarães Rosa (1908-1967) is a major Brazilian writer, known for his linguistically innovative style. Trained as a physician, he practiced briefly before becoming a diplomat, serving in Hamburg, Bogotá, and Paris. His first book, Sagarana (1946), was acclaimed by critics. His masterpiece, Grande Sertão: Veredas (1956), is considered one of the most important in Brazilian literature. He received the Machado de Assis Prize in 1961 and was elected to the Academia Brasileira de Letras in 1963, but only took office three days before his death.
* 1908-06-27 — † 1967-11-19
Major works
- Sagarana (1946)short story collection
- Grande Sertão: Veredas (1956)novel
- Corpo de Baile (1956)novella collection
- Primeiras Estórias (1962)short story collection
- Tutaméia: Terceiras Estórias (1967)short story collection
Key milestones
- 1938-1942Served as assistant consul in Hamburg, where he helped issue visas to Jews fleeing Nazi Germany.
- 1961Received the Machado de Assis Prize from the Academia Brasileira de Letras for his complete body of work.
- 1967Took office at the Academia Brasileira de Letras on November 16, three days before his death.
Themes
the Brazilian backlandslinguistic innovationthe human conditiondeath and fateoral traditions
Sources: britannica.com · sites.usp.br