Fernando Pessoa

Poet

Birthday June 13, 1888

Birth Sign Gemini

Birthplace Lisbon, Portugal

DEATH DATE Nov 30, 1935 (47)

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About

Portuguese modernist poet, author, translator and literary critic who wrote under many pseudonyms. His noteworthy works include Message and The Book of Disquiet.

Before Fame

His father died of tuberculosis when Pessoa was five years old. Pessoa and his mother subsequently relocated to South Africa.

Trivia

He had a deep interest in the occult, and his studies of astrology, alchemy, and spiritualism greatly influenced his work.

Family Life

He was introduced to Portuguese poetry by his step-uncle Henrique dos Santos Rosa.

Associated With

His early literary influences include Lord Byron, Shelley, Tennyson, Milton, and Shakespeare.