author
Christóvam Ayres de Magalhães Sepúlveda
1857–1930
A soldier-scholar from Goa who became one of Portugal’s notable military historians, he wrote detailed studies of cavalry, the Portuguese army, and the Peninsular War. His work blends archival care with a lifelong fascination for how armies, institutions, and history are built.
1 Audiobook
Manuel da Maya e os engenheiros militares portugueses no Terramoto de 1755
by Christóvam Ayres de Magalhães Sepúlveda
About the author
Born in Goa on March 27, 1853, and later active in Lisbon, Christóvam Ayres de Magalhães Sepúlveda was a Portuguese writer, historian, and army officer. He trained in infantry and cavalry at the Escola do Exército, also completed the Curso Superior de Letras, and rose through the military to become a colonel. Alongside his army career, he taught at the Escola de Guerra and served several times as a deputy.
He is best remembered for major works on Portuguese military history, including História da Cavallaria Portugueza, História orgânica e política do exército portuguez, and the Dicionário bibliográfico da guerra peninsular. His writing shows a deep interest in documents, institutions, and the long development of Portugal’s armed forces, making him a useful guide for readers who enjoy history grounded in research.
Sepúlveda also had a long connection with the Academia das Ciências de Lisboa. Elected a corresponding member in 1886, he later held roles including inspector of the library, secretary of the Class of Letters, vice-secretary, and finally secretary-general, a post he held until his death in Lisbon on June 10, 1930.