Henrique de Vasconcellos

Born in São Filipe, on the island of Fogo in Cape Verde, in 1876, Henrique de Vasconcelos became a striking figure in Portuguese public and literary life. Sources describe him as a diplomat, politician, journalist, and writer, as well as a close collaborator of Afonso Costa during the Portuguese First Republic.

In literature, he is especially associated with decadentist poetry and is noted as the author of Missa negra. He also wrote fiction, including Flirts, showing a range that went beyond poetry alone.

He died in Lisbon in 1924. Alongside his writing and political career, he was remembered as an important bibliophile, known for having assembled a notable library.