Poets

Olavo Brás Martins dos Guimarães Bilac (December 16, 1865 – December 28, 1918) was a Brazilian Parnassian poet, journalist and translator. Alongside Alberto de Oliveira and Raimundo Correia, he was a member of the "Parnassian Triad". Elected the "Prince of Brazilian Poets" in 1907 by the magazine Fon-Fon, he is famous for writing the lyrics of the Brazilian Flag Anthem. He founded and occupied the 15th chair of the Brazilian Academy of Letters, from 1897 until his death in 1918.

Life

Bilac was born in the city of Rio de Janeiro, to Brás Martins dos Guimarães Bilac and Delfina Belmira dos Guimarães Bilac. As a young man, he was a brilliant student, gaining acceptance to Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro at the age of 15. He began studying medicine, but did not finish the course. He also tried to study Law at the Faculdade de Direito da Universidade de São Paulo, but did not finish the course either. Instead, he found pleasure in writing and journalism. His first work was the sonnet "Sesta de Nero" ("Nero's Nap") in the newspaper Gazeta de Notícias, in 1884, which received praise from Artur Azevedo. In addition to poetry, Bilac wrote publicitary texts, chronicles, schoolbooks, children's poetry and satirical works. In 1891, he was arrested at the Fortaleza da Laje in Rio de Janeiro, for opposing the government of Floriano Peixoto. Bilac would never marry; thus, he never had children. Initially, he was engaged to Amélia de Oliveira, si..