Eca de Queiros

José Maria Eça de Queirós was born to António José de Queirós and Ana Joaquina de Sequeira Teles in Póvoa de Varzim, a coastal town in northern Portugal.

Eça de Queirós and his family moved to Lisbon, where he would spend a significant part of his childhood and early education.

Eça de Queirós started his formal education at the Lyceum of Lisbon, where he excelled in literature and languages.

At the age of 15, Eça de Queirós published his first literary work, a short story, in a local newspaper, showing early promise as a writer.

Eça de Queirós enrolled in the Law School at the University of Coimbra, where he completed his degree but was more interested in literature and journalism.

After graduating, Eça de Queirós returned to Lisbon and began working as a lawyer, though he continued to write and engage in literary circles.

Eça de Queirós married Maria Emília de Vilhena, a woman from a prominent family, with whom he would have a lasting and supportive relationship.

Eça de Queirós published 'The Sin of Father Amaro,' a novel that gained critical acclaim and marked his emergence as a leading realist writer in Portugal.

Eça de Queirós was appointed Portuguese consul in Newcastle, England, a position that allowed him to travel and gain new perspectives, influencing his later works.

Eça de Queirós published 'The Maias,' considered his masterpiece and a seminal work of Portuguese literature, which explored the decline of the aristocracy.

Eça de Queirós was appointed Portuguese consul in Paris, where he immersed himself in French culture and continued to write, solidifying his reputation as a leading novelist.

Eça de Queirós published 'The City and the Mountains,' a novel that explored the contrasts between urban and rural life, further cementing his status as a literary giant.

Eça de Queirós returned to Portugal and settled in Lisbon, where he continued to write and engage in literary and social circles.

Eça de Queirós published 'The Relic,' a satirical novel that critiqued the hypocrisy of the upper classes and the clergy, further showcasing his sharp wit and insight.

José Maria Eça de Queirós died in Vevey, Switzerland, leaving behind a legacy as one of the most influential and celebrated writers in Portuguese literature.