Jorge Mateus de Lima

Born in April 1895 to the region where the Quilombo de Palmares existed. Later visiting the Serra da Barriga, where Ganga Zumba installed the famous quilombo of slaves, which was later ruled by Zumbi' At the age of 8, he, for the first time felt touched by poetry. That landscape, the memories of black mothers and the marks of black culture, are present throughout his work

Jorge Mateus de Lima studied medicine in Bahia and Rio de Janeiro. While still a student, he published his first book, "Alexandrinos XIV." He went on to became a doctor and held various public positions in the state of Alagoas.

In the years 1920 he published several books of poems, including "O Mundo do Menino Impossível" (The World of The Impossible Child) e "Essa Negra Fulô" (The Black Fulô), which is the title of his most famous poem. In 1930 moved up to Rio de Janeiro, where he taught at the University of Brazil and the University of the Federal District. In 1935 he was elected councillor, after occupying the chair of the House of Councillors.

In 1935, Mr. de Lima converted to Catholicism and many of his poems began to reflect his religiosity. He published several works in that period, including "Time and Eternity," "Invention of Orpheus" and "Book of Sonnets." He received the Grand Award in 1940 for Poetry, awarded by the Brazilian Academy of Letters.

Inventive, ingenious, willing to experiment and extremely sensitive to the human tragedy, Jorge de Lima was one of the greatest translators of Brazilian soul. Able to give depth to the puerile and sweetness to the tragic, his poetry and involves the reader in a sense of essential search.

The verses of Jorge de Lima are among the most important of Brazilian modernism. The author also published novels, essays and plays.

Jorge de Lima died in Rio de Janeiro, in November 1953.