Barros

Barros, Joao de, was born at Vizeu, Portugal, in 1496, and brought up at the court of King Emanuel. He showed great literary capacity, and was encouraged by the royal family to occupy himself with Portuguese history. John III. made him Governor of Guinea, and subsequently General Treasurer of all the colonies. He then composed his great work, Asia Portuguesa, consisting of forty books, his task being completed by Couto. His style is admired as remarkably pure and simple. He died in 1570.