Fernando Pessoa

Fernando Pessoa, a Portuguese modernist poet, author, translator, and literary critic, is widely regarded as one of the most influential writers of the 20th century. Born on June 13, 1888, in Lisbon, Portugal, Pessoa started writing poems in his teens and went on to establish himself as a master of symbolism, surrealism, and modernism. His noteworthy works include Message and The Book of Disquiet, which have inspired generations of poets, artists, and thinkers.

Pessoa's father died of tuberculosis when he was just five years old, forcing him and his mother to relocate to South Africa. There, he had a difficult childhood marked by loneliness, isolation, and a strong desire to find his place in the world. He was a precocious child who showed a deep interest in literature, philosophy, and spirituality from an early age. He began writing poems in English and Portuguese when he was only ten years old, and by the time he was a teenager, he had already developed a unique style that blended tradition and innovation.

Pessoa's personality was marked by introspection, intellectual curiosity, and an insatiable desire for self-discovery. He was a solitary figure who spent most of his life in his own inner world, exploring the mysteries of the human condition and the meaning of existence. He was also deeply interested in the occult and esoteric subjects like astrology, alchemy, and spiritualism, which greatly influenced his work.

Before becoming famous, Pessoa faced numerous challenges and setbacks. He struggled to find his voice as a writer and to reconcile his various identities and personas. He also faced economic difficulties and had to work as a freelance translator and correspondent to make ends meet. However, in 1915, he published his first book of poetry, Antinous, which earned him critical acclaim and established him as a rising star in the literary world.

Pessoa's family life was marked by tragedy and complexity. He had a strained relationship with his mother, who remarried a Portuguese consul and moved with him to Angola. Pessoa refused to join them and instead lived in poverty in Lisbon. He also had several torrid love affairs with women and men and struggled to reconcile his sexual identity with his desire for stability and commitment.

Pessoa was associated with many famous writers, thinkers, and artists of his time. He was friends with the poet Mário de Sá-Carneiro, the novelist José Saramago, and the philosopher Agostinho da Silva. He was also a rival of the writer Álvaro de Campos, one of his many pseudonyms. Pessoa's legacy continues to inspire and challenge readers and writers around the world, making him one of the most important figures in the world of poetry and literature.