Born: March 11, 1822 (São Luís Island, Maranhão, Brazil)
Biography:
Maria Firmina dos Reis, born on March 11, 1822, in São Luís Island, Maranhão, Brazil, is widely recognized as Brazil’s first black female novelist. Her contributions to Brazilian literature and her advocacy for the abolition of slavery marked her importance in the literary and social spheres of her time.
Maria Firmina’s early life was marked by hardship and illness. She was baptized on December 21, 1825, following a long illness in her early years. Her baptismal record reveals that she was baptized in the Parish of Our Lady of Victory in São Luís. Her godparents were Captain João Nogueira de Souza, who served as a militia captain, and Our Lady of Medicine. Unfortunately, there is no mention of her parents in the record. However, her later baptismal justification certificate, obtained while enrolling in a primary education course in Guimarães, shed light on her mother’s name, Leonor Felipa. Her mother had been a slave under Commander Caetano José Teixeira, a prominent merchant and landowner who died in 1819. Maria Firmina’s father’s name, João Pedro Esteves, was only disclosed in her death certificate, dated November 17, 1917. He was a wealthy man and a partner in the trading company owned by Leonor Felipa’s former owner.
As a child, Maria Firmina moved with her family to the village of São José de Guimarães on the mainland. There, she lived with a prosperous maternal aunt and began her journey towards education and enlightenment. In 1847, she ran for the position of a primary education teacher and was successful. Maria Firmina dedicated herself to teaching from 1847 to 1881, impacting countless lives through her commitment to education.
Maria Firmina’s most renowned work, the novel Úrsula, was published in 1859. It is considered the first Brazilian abolitionist novel. The book depicts a love triangle that challenges the institution of slavery, raising questions about its morality and injustice. Úrsula showcased Maria Firmina’s deep empathy for the enslaved and her desire to shed light on the cruelties of the system.
Despite her groundbreaking achievements as a writer and educator, Maria Firmina dos Reis never married. She remained dedicated to her literary and societal pursuits, using her voice to advocate for social change and equality. Her contributions to Brazilian literature and her commitment to the abolitionist cause made her a pivotal figure within the context of women’s history in Brazil.