The Modern Novel

Biography

José Américo de Almeida was born in 1887 in Areia. He was orphaned at the age of nine and was brought up by his uncle. He studied law and worked in the public prosecutors’ office after he qualified. He published his first novel – A bagaceira (Trash) – in 1928, which brought him considerable success but he still decided to continue his political career. He held various senior political offices till the 1930 Revolution when he became minister of public works. He was seriously injured in a plane crash two years later but recovered to become Brazilian ambassador to the Vatican and then Minister of the Audit Office. While continuing to publish novels, he also ran for president but the 1937 State of Emergency killed his ambitions. However, he continued to hold political office and to write and was elected to the Brazilian Academy in 1967. He died in João Pessoa in 1980.

Other links

José Américo de Almeida
José Américo de Almeida (in Portuguese)
José Américo de Almeida (in Portuguese)
José Américo de Almeida (in Portuguese)
José Américo de Almeida (in Portuguese)
José Américo de Almeida (in Portuguese)
Fundação Casa de José Américo (in Portuguese)