Pedro de Calasans


Pedro Luziense de Bittencourt Calasans was a Brazilian poet, playwright and journalist, adept of the "Ultra-Romanticism" movement.

Life

Calasans was born in the city of Santa Luzia do Itanhy, in the Brazilian State of Sergipe, to Lieutenant Colonel João José de Bittencourt Calasans and Luísa Carolina Amélia de Calasans. He initiated his studies at the Liceu São Cristóvão, finishing them in Recife, Pernambuco. At 16 years of age, he published his first poetry book, Adeus!.
In 1855, he entered the Faculdade de Direito do Recife, published another poetry book and started to collaborate with some newspapers. Graduating in 1859, he returned to Sergipe, to the city of Estância, where he married a wealthy lady; however, they divorced some years later.
Moving to Rio de Janeiro in 1861, he became a deputy from 1861 to 1864, dedicating himself solely to journalism and advocacy. In 1864, he traveled to Europe, where he wrote three more books: Ofenísia, Uma Cena de Nossos Dias, and Wiesbade.
Returning to Brazil in 1867, he became a judge in the city of Caçapava, publishing four more books: A Campa e a Rosa, A Morte de Uma Virgem, Qual Delas? and A Rosa e o Sol. He became a provincial deputy in Rio Grande do Sul, later transferring himself to Jeremoabo due to health problems.
His health problems eventually evolved into tuberculosis, and, in unsuccessful attempts to mitigate the disease, Calasans traveled to Ilhéus, Serro and Diamantina. In a final attempt, Calasans embarked to Madeira, but died on ship before arriving at his destination.

Works

Poetry