Alexandre Herculano: The Father Of Portuguese Historical Fiction

Alexandre Herculano was a Portuguese historian, novelist, and poet. He’s considered a pioneer of Romanticism in Portugal. He introduced Romantic ideas to Portuguese literature. His works were full of emotion and imagination, a new style in Portuguese literature at the time.

Herculano’s work was so influential that he’s recognized as one of the most important figures in Portuguese literature during the 19th century. He played a key role in shaping the modern Portuguese language and was a leading figure in the Portuguese Romantic movement.

His novels, like “Eurico, o Presbítero” and “O Monge de Cister,” were popular. They explored themes of faith, history, and social issues. They were groundbreaking for their time, with complex characters and realistic settings. Herculano also explored historical themes in his non-fiction works, such as “História de Portugal” and “Opúsculos.”

His writing brought a new sense of emotion and drama to Portuguese literature. Herculano’s influence is still felt today, as he helped shape the literary landscape of Portugal.