Anchieta, José de

Anchieta, José de (zhooze' di unshēā'tä) [key], 1530–97, Brazilian Jesuit missionary, b. Canary Islands of Spanish parents. A tireless traveler and pioneer, he spread Portuguese control and settlement and was a founder of the city of São Paulo. He wrote in Spanish, Latin, Portuguese, and Tupi and wrote poetry as well as prose tracts on history, philosophy, and religion. He is usually regarded as the first Brazilian writer.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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