Oscar Rosas

Origin

Florianópolis, SC

Years Active

1880

Genres

poetry

Biography

Oscar Rosas Ribeiro de Almeida was a Brazilian poet, journalist, and politician born in Desterro on February 12, 1864. During his early education at the Ateneu Província, where his father taught, he formed a lasting connection with the renowned writer Cruz e Sousa, remaining one of his most loyal friends throughout their lives. His family lineage also included his brother Ernani Salomão Rosas Ribeiro d’Almeida, who followed a similar path in poetry.

Relocating to Rio de Janeiro in 1880, Rosas dedicated his professional life to journalism, eventually becoming the secretary of the newspaper 'Novidades' around 1890. In this role, he played a pivotal part in introducing symbolism to the publication, championing the verses and contributions of emerging writers of the era. His journalistic career also intertwined with political activism, as he actively participated in the historical struggles for the Abolition of slavery and the establishment of the Republic in Brazil.

In addition to his literary and journalistic pursuits, Rosas engaged in political service, traveling to Chile around 1892 to study ongoing social movements and later serving as a deputy in the Legislative Assembly of Santa Catarina from 1922 to 1924. Much like many of his fellow symbolist poets, he never compiled his verses into a single volume during his lifetime. He passed away in Rio de Janeiro on January 27, 1925, and is honored today as the patron of a chair at the Academia Catarinense de Letras.