Tex : A chapter in the life of Alexander Teixeira de Mattos

In this intimate portrait, listeners are invited into the world of Alexander Teixeira de Mattos, the early‑twentieth‑century scholar whose translations opened the doors of French, German, Dutch and Scandinavian literature to English readers. The narrative weaves together his modest humor, his devotion to friendship, and his tireless craft, showing how a single man could shape a cultural bridge without seeking fame. Through letters and anecdotes, we hear the wit of a man who could laugh at his own seriousness while insisting on a “pococurantist” love of life.

The chapter is less a conventional biography and more a conversation with the spirit of a beloved colleague, preserving the warmth of his correspondence and the clever banter that defined his circles. Listeners will sense his uncanny ability to convey foreign voices in flawless English, as well as his playful refusal to become a solemn monument to his own achievements. By the end, the portrait leaves a vivid impression of a man whose greatest legacy may be the joy he brought to those who shared his table.