Alexandre Herculano’s Followers (61)

Alexandre Herculano

Born

in Lisbon, Portugal

March 28, 1810

Died

September 13, 1877

Genre

Historical Fiction, Poetry, Classics

edit data

Alexandre Herculano de Carvalho e Araújo, a Portuguese novelist and historian. Born of humble stock, his grandfather was a foreman stonemason in the royal employ.

Privation made him a man, and in his works, he proves a poet of deep and considerable power of expression. The stirring incidents in the political emancipation of Portugal inspired his muse, and he describes the bitterness of exile, the adventurous expedition to Terceira, the heroic defense of Oporto, and the final combats of liberty.

In 1837 he founded the Panorama in imitation of the English Penny Magazine, and there and in Illustraco he published the historical tales which were afterwards collected into Lendas e Narratives; in the same year he became royal librarian at the A Alexandre Herculano de Carvalho e Araújo, a Portuguese novelist and historian. Born of humble stock, his grandfather was a foreman stonemason in the royal employ.

Privation made him a man, and in his works, he proves a poet of deep and considerable power of expression. The stirring incidents in the political emancipation of Portugal inspired his muse, and he describes the bitterness of exile, the adventurous expedition to Terceira, the heroic defense of Oporto, and the final combats of liberty.

In 1837 he founded the Panorama in imitation of the English Penny Magazine, and there and in Illustraco he published the historical tales which were afterwards collected into Lendas e Narratives; in the same year he became royal librarian at the Ajuda Palace, which enabled him to continue his studies of the past. The Panorama had a large circulation and influence, and Herculano's biographical sketches of great men and his articles of literary and historical criticism did much to educate the middle class by acquainting them with the story of their nation, and with the progress of knowledge and the state of letters in foreign countries.

Grave as most of his writings are, they include a short description of a crossing from Jersey to Granville, in which he satirizes English character and customs, and reveals an unexpected sense of humour. A rare capacity for tedious work, a dour Catonian rectitude, a passion for truth, pride, irritability at criticism and independence of character, are the marks of Herculano as a man. He could be broken but never bent, and his rude frankness accorded with his hard, sombre face, and alienated mens sympathiea though it did not lose him their respect. His lyrism is vigorous, feeling, austere and almost entirely subjective and personal, while his pamphlets are distinguished by energy of conviction, strength of affirmation, and contempt, for weaker and more ignorant opponents. His History of Portugal is a great but incomplete monument.

A lack of imagination and of the philosophic spirit prevented him from penetrating or drawing characters, but his analytical gift, joined to persevering toil and honesty of purpose enabled him to present a faithful account of ascertained facts and a satisfactory and lucid explanation of political and economic events. His remains lie in a majestic tomb in the Jerónimos Monastery at Belem, near Lisbon, which was raised by public subscription to the greatest modern historian of Portugal and of the Peninsula. His more important works have gone through many editions and his name is still one to conjure with. ...more

Combine Editions
Alexandre Herculano’s books

Average rating: 3.56 · 2,922 ratings · 193 reviews · 370 distinct works • Similar authors

	Eurico, O Presbítero by Alexandre Herculano, Carlos Reis (Introdução) 3.47 avg rating — 1,335 ratings — published 1844 — 83 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	O Bobo 3.62 avg rating — 268 ratings — published 1878 — 32 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Abóbada 3.21 avg rating — 247 ratings — published 2012 — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	A Dama Pé-de-Cabra 3.43 avg rating — 217 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Lendas e Narrativas by Alexandre Herculano, Maria Ema Tarracha Ferreira (Introdução) 3.77 avg rating — 173 ratings — published 1851 — 30 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	O Bispo Negro 3.44 avg rating — 89 ratings — 4 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Lendas e Narrativas - Tomo II 4.24 avg rating — 62 ratings — published 1851 — 18 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	Lendas e Narrativas - Tomo I 4.22 avg rating — 54 ratings — published 1851 — 29 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	O Monge De Cister V.I Ou A Época de D. João I (1859) - Tomo I 3.98 avg rating — 51 ratings — published 1848 — 29 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars
	O Monge de Cistér ou A Época de D. João I - Tomo II 3.79 avg rating — 34 ratings — published 1848 — 15 editions	Error rating book. Refresh and try again. Rate this book Clear rating 1 of 5 stars 2 of 5 stars 3 of 5 stars 4 of 5 stars 5 of 5 stars

More books by Alexandre Herculano…

Series by Alexandre Herculano

O Monasticon (3 books)
by

Alexandre Herculano

3.50 avg rating — 1,420 ratings

História da Origem e Estabelecimento da Inquisição em Portugal (4 books)
by

Alexandre Herculano

4.02 avg rating — 41 ratings

Quotes by Alexandre Herculano (?)

“Eu não me envergonho de corrigir os meus erros e mudar de opinião, porque não me envergonho de raciocinar e aprender.”
― Alexandre Herculano

27 likes

“Aceitamos a designação de municipalista; aceitamo-la da boca da democracia.
Toca-nos provar que o municipalismo, instituição tão antiga, tão permanente como as sociedades, embora enfraquecida e até anulada em várias épocas pelos diversos despotismos, vale infinitamente
mais do que as aspirações democráticas; que ele nos oferece o único meio possível de mantermos a nacionalidade, ao passo que seria o mais poderoso instrumento de uma liberdade verdadeira, convertendo o Governo representativo, de uma imensa decepção, numa realidade prática.”
― Alexandre Herculano

4 likes

“…porque somos como elles; porque, bem como elles, nos persuadimos de que, varrendo todos os vestigios do Portugal antigo, poderemos esconder aos estranhos a nossa decadencia actual; porque, além disso, cremos que para ser deste seculo, é preciso renegar dos antepassados.
Todavia, ainda ha quem deplore a destruição das memorias venerandas de melhores tempos; ainda ha quem lucte contra a torrente de barbaria que alaga este paiz tão rico de recordações, recordações que tantos animos envilecidos pretendem fazer esquecer.”
― Alexandre Herculano

3 likes

See all Alexandre Herculano's quotes »

Topics Mentioning This Author

topics	posts	views	last activity
History Buffs United: What Are You Currently Reading?	18	53	Nov 28, 2017 11:35PM
Leituras Partilhadas: Desafio Leituras Lusitanas 2017	83	217	Feb 10, 2018 08:31AM
Goodreads Librari...: Alex / Alexander / Alexandra etc.	192	108	Jun 28, 2019 07:56AM
Never too Late to...: 2024: 800,000 Page Challenge COMPLETED!!	1353	971	Mar 21, 2025 04:18AM

More…