Barros, João de

(1496-1570)

   Royal servant, humanist, and famed historical chronicler of Portugal's Asian empire of the 16th century. Following service in Portugal's Casa da Guiné and Casa da Mina, the well-educated humanist De Barros, who came from an educated family, composed his most noted, celebrated work, a historical chronicle, Da Asia, of which he completed two volumes, divided into "decades." His subject was the Portuguese discoveries in India and other parts of Asia, and his perspective was that of an innovative early modern historian. Three of the "decades" were issued in his lifetime, and the fourth appeared posthumously in 1614, under the pen of Diogo Do Couto. This historical study of Portugal in Asia, however, does not exhaust the reach of this talented writer, who had diverse interests, including the subjects of learning to read and write the Portuguese language, philosophy and religious studies, commerce, and geography.