Joaquim Assis

Joaquim Maria Machado de Assis, often referred to as the "Bruxo do Cosme Velho," was a pioneering Brazilian novelist, poet, playwright, and short story writer, celebrated as one of the greatest figures in Brazilian literature. He was a multilingual self-taught scholar who learned French, English, German, and Greek later in life. In 1897, he founded the Brazilian Academy of Letters and became its first president. His literary contributions have left a lasting impact on Brazilian culture and are recognized for their depth, complexity, and innovation.