de Assis, Machado: - Machado de Assis (1839-1908) was a Brazilian novelist, poet, and playwright, widely regarded as one of the greatest writers in the Portuguese language. Born in Rio de Janeiro, he overcame poverty and limited formal education to become a literary pioneer and co founder of the Brazilian Academy of Letters. His works span the Romantic and Realist periods, with a sharp focus on human nature, irony, and social critique. Famous for novels like Dom Casmurro and Memórias Póstumas de Brás Cubas (The Posthumous Memoirs of Brás Cubas), Machado's narrative style is innovative and introspective, often breaking the fourth wall. His legacy continues to influence Brazilian literature and beyond.