Life and Works
1928 – 1951
Mozambique 1928 – 1946
1928
20 September. Carlos Alberto Portugal Correia de Lacerda is born on the Island of Mozambique, then a Portuguese colony, the last child of Carlos Augusto Portugal Correia de Lacerda, a colonial administrator, and Leopoldina dos Santos Madeira Correia de Lacerda.
Spends his childhood in a succession of outposts in Mozambique, eventually attending secondary school in Lourenço Marques, now Maputo.
Publishes some of his poems, written at the age of 14, in a local magazine in Mozambique.
Mozambique, 1932
Lisbon 1946 – 1951
1946 – 1951
Goes to Lisbon where he attends courses of study at the Alliance Française and the British Council.
He starts his literary life, meeting and collaborating with the main cultural figures of the time. These include José de Almada Negreiros, António Pedro, João Gaspar Simões, Adolfo Casais Monteiro, José Blanc de Portugal, Fernando Lopes Graça, Ruy Cinatti, Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, Natércia Freire, Jorge de Sena, Fernando de Azevedo, Mário Cesariny de Vasconcelos, Alexandre O’Neill, David Mourão-Ferreira, José-Augusto França, and Júlio Pomar.
1947
The first selection of his poems (the section called Suspension Bridge in 77 Poems) is accepted for publication in Lisbon, but remains unpublished due to the untimely death of his publisher.
Lisbon, c. 1946
1951
The Lisbon magazine Cadernos de Poesia devotes an entire number to his poems.
1951 – 1969
London
1951
Arrives in London with a BBC contract as a Portuguese language announcer.
1952
Meets Edith Sitwell and her brothers Osbert and Sacheverell, and joins her circle including Bryher, Arthur Waley, John Lehmann, and Stephen Spender among others.
1954
Becomes a freelance writer, journalist, and translator. Continues collaborating with the BBC as an outside contributor. Maintains regular columns with the Lisbon newspapers Diário de Notícias and Diário Popular.
Sloane Square, 1952
1955
Publishes 77 Poems in a bilingual edition issued by Allen and Unwin, Bertrand Russell’s publisher in London. His earlier Suspension Bridge constitutes the first part of the book, which is co-translated and introduced by the poet and sinologist Arthur Waley.
1956
Is commissioned by the BBC Third Programme to present a survey of Portuguese poetry from Medieval to contemporary times, in which Fernando Pessoa is first introduced to the English-speaking world. Upon hearing this programme, Luís Rosa, Fernando Pessoa’s half brother residing in England, sends a letter of appreciation.
1957
An early appraisal of Alberto de Lacerda’s poetry written in French by Nathaniel Tarn, “Le Poète portugais Alberto de Lacerda”, is published in Critique in Paris, February 1957, and is noticed by the poet René Char, whose admiration for Alberto’s poetry grows from there.
Offprint of Critique, February 1957
Brazil November 1959 – January 1960
1959 – 1960
At the invitation of Manuel Bandeira, visits Brazil on a three-month reading and lecture tour. Is introduced to the main figures of Brazilian modernism, and visits Brasilia at the invitation of Oscar Niemeyer, who is overseeing its construction.
Alberto de Lacerda, Ouro Preto, Brazil, December 1959
1961
Publishes Palácio (Palace) with Delfos in Lisbon. Continues to reside in London and to participate in its cultural life. Collaborates with prestigious English and international publications.
Mozambique 1963
1963
Returns to Mozambique on a farewell trip, which provides inspiration for a number of evocative poems. Publishes Exílio (Exile) with Colecção Poetas de Hoje, Portugália Editora, in Lisbon, with a preface by António Ramos Rosa.
Lisbon 1964
1964
In collaboration with Sophia de Mello Breyner Andresen, edits Poesia Sempre I, an anthology of Portuguese poetry from Colecção Nosso Mundo/Antologia, Livraria Sampedro, Lisbon, 1964.
Poesia Sempre I, Livraria Sampedro, Lisbon, 1964
Austin 1967 – 1970
1967 – 1970
At the invitation of the University of Texas, goes to Austin where he teaches graduate and undergraduate courses in Portuguese, French and Comparative Literature. Rekindles and forms new literary friendships with Christopher Middleton, David Wevill, Roger Shattuck, and Octavio Paz.
1969
Included in the Tower Poetry Series of the Humanities Research Center of the University of Texas at Austin, publishes Selected Poems in a bilingual edition.
With Rudolfo Cardona and Octavio Paz, organises and participates in an International Poetry Festival at the University. Other participants include Jorge Luis Borges, Czeslaw Milosz, Robert Duncan, Louis Zukofsky, David Wevill, and Robert Creeley.
Mexico December 1969 – January 1970
1969 – 1970
Visits Aztec and Mayan ruins in Mexico, where he writes 34 Poemas Mexicanos ou a Genealogia do Tempo (34 Mexican Poems or a Genealogy of Time), which remains unpublished.
Mexico, December 1969
1970 – 1996
London
1970 – 1972
Returns to London where he continues to work freelance. After decades of life in rented rooms, mainly in Chelsea, he moves to his first and only apartment, in Battersea, located at 48A Primrose Mansions, Prince of Wales Drive. This address lies between the Chelsea Bridge and Albert Bridge.
Boston 1972 – 1996
1972 – 1996
Accepts an invitation to lecture at Boston University as Professor of Poetry. Stays initially in the home of Roman Jakobson. Reencounters Octavio Paz and Jorge Guillén, and establishes new friendships with East Coast poets, including Anne Sexton and Elizabeth Bishop. Publishes poetry and articles on fine arts in national and international journals and gives public readings and lectures.
1973
Launches and edits Maio – International Poetry Magazine, with original poems in four languages. Collaborators in this single issue are Jorge Guillén, Murilo Mendes, Octavio Paz, Anne Beresford, Mário Cesariny, Júlio Pomar, Dominique Fourcade, Celia Gilbert, Ben Norwood, Ruth Lepson, Claude Royet-Journoud, Augusto de Campos, David Wevill, Luís Amorim de Sousa, and David Steiling. The cover lettering is by Jorge Guillén.
Maio, 1973
Becomes the first Portuguese-language writer to give a poetry reading at the Library of Congress in Washington, DC, and records a selection of poems for their archives.
1978
Conducts a graduate course on Masterpieces of Portuguese and Brazillian Poetry at Columbia University, New York.
Selects and introduces “Modern Portuguese Poetry” anthology for The Journal of the American Portuguese Society, Vol. XII, No. 1, New York: The American Portuguese Society, Summer 1978.
The Journal of the American Portuguese Society, Summer 1978
1981
Publishes Tauromagia with Contexto in Lisbon, with illustrations by Júlio Pomar.
1984
Publishes Oferenda I (Offering I) with Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda in Lisbon, with a cover by Arpad Szenes. This volume combines his previous books 77 Poemas, Palácio, Tauromagia, and Exílio. Two previously unpublished books, Lisboa (Lisbon) and Cor: Azul (Colour: Blue), are added to this volume. From this point IN-CM becomes his regular publisher.
Lisbon
1987
Shows choices from his private collection at the Modern Art Centre of the Calouste Gulbenkian Foundation in Lisbon. This exhibition, “Alberto de Lacerda – O Mundo de um Poeta” (Alberto de Lacerda – A Poet’s World), is acclaimed in Lisbon artistic circles. Accompanying texts to the catalogue are written by Luís Amorim de Sousa, Eduardo Lourenço, António Ramos Rosa, and John McEwen.
Alberto de Lacerda – O Mundo de um Poeta, 1987
Exhibits his collages at the Sociedade Nacional de Belas Artes, Lisbon.
Publishes Elegias de Londres (London Elegies), with a cover by Paula Rego, with whom he also maintains a close friendship.
Publishes Lisboa, with a cover by Vieira da Silva. A numbered edition includes a silkscreen by Vieira da Silva.
Alberto de Lacerda – Colagens (Alberto de Lacerda – Collages), 1987
1988
Publishes Meio-Dia (Midday) with Assírio & Alvim in Lisbon, which receives a P.E.N. Club award.
1989
Exhibits his collages at the Arcada Gallery of Art in Estoril, Portugal.
Alberto de Lacerda – Colagens, 1989
1990
Exhibits his collages and gives a poetry reading at the Clube Cinquenta in Lisbon.
Colagens Clube Cinquenta, 1990
1991
Has a private edition of Sonetos (Sonnets) printed in Venice by Centro Internazionale della Grafica, with a cover by Vieira da Silva. This book had no commercial distribution.
1994
Publishes Oferenda II (Offering II), with a cover by Júlio Pomar, gathering three unpublished books written between 1963 and 1970: Opus 7, Ariel e a Luz (Ariel and the Light) and Mecânica Celeste (Celestial Mechanics).
Alberto de Lacerda, New York, 1994, photograph by Scott Laughlin
1995 – 1996
Writes an obituary for Adrien de Menasce, an artist friend, for the Independent on 18 April 1995.
Using his contacts in the art world, promotes a memorial exhibition for Adrien de Menasce at The Mayor Gallery in Cork Street, London. The accompanying catalogue, Adrian de Menasce, 1925-1995: Late Oil Paintings, contains texts by John McEwen and Alberto de Lacerda.
Adrian de Menasce 1925-1995 Late Oil Paintings, The Mayor Gallery, London, 1996
1996
Retires from Boston University as Professor Emeritus of Poetics. Returns definitively to London and its cultural life.
1997 – 2007
London
1997
Publishes Átrio (Atrium), with a cover by Adrien de Menasce.
2001
Publishes Horizonte (Horizon), with a cover by Arpad Szenes. His last books are received in silence. Although increasingly isolated, he continues to frequent the theatres, concerts, museums, galleries, antiquarians, and bookshops of London.
Picasso Cafe, Chelsea, 2007
His daily outings continue to start at the Picasso Cafe, King’s Road, Chelsea.
2007
After being found in a coma in his apartment in Primrose Mansions he is brought to the Chelsea and Westminster Hospital where he dies of stroke and heart failure on 27 August. He is buried in Brompton Cemetery in Chelsea.
The Portuguese poet and critic Eduardo Pitta wrote an obituary of Alberto de Lacerda for the Portuguese newspaper Público on 28 August 2007.
John McEwen’s obituary of Alberto de Lacerda Acclaimed poet, artist and critic appears in the 4 September 2007 Independent.
Luís Amorim de Sousa’s obituary of Alberto de Lacerda appears in Times Online on 27 September. Alberto was a compulsive and increasingly despondent Times reader until the end of his days.
Books
77 Poems, a bilingual edition translated by the author and Arthur Waley. Preface by Arthur Waley. London: George Allen & Unwin, 1955
Palácio. Lisbon: Delfos, 1961
Exílio, preface by António Ramos Rosa. Lisbon: Colecção Poetas de Hoje, Portugalia Editora, 1963
Selected Poems, a bilingual edition translated by the author. Austin: The Tower Poetry Series, The Humanities Research Center of the University of Texas at Austin, 1969. Acknowledgement: Harry Ransom Center, the University of Texas at Austin
Tauromagia, illustrated by Júlio Pomar. Lisbon: Contexto Editora, 1981
Oferenda I, cover by Arpad Szenes. Lisbon: Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda, 1984. This volume combines previous books 77 Poemas, Palácio, Tauromagia, and Exílio, with an unpublished poem, Lisboa, and book Cor: Azul
Elegias de Londres, cover by Paula Rego. Lisbon: Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda, 1987
Lisboa, cover by Vieira da Silva. Lisbon: Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda, 1987. A numbered edition includes a silkscreen by Vieira da Silva
Meio-Dia. Lisbon: Assírio & Alvim, 1988
Sonetos, cover by Vieira da Silva. Author’s edition, printed in Venice by Centro Internazionale della Grafica, 1991
Oferenda II, cover by Júlio Pomar. Lisbon: Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda, 1994. This volume gathers three unpublished books written between 1963 and 1970: Opus 7, Ariel e a Luz, and Mecânica Celeste
Átrio, cover by Adrien de Menasce. Lisbon: Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda, 1997
Horizonte, cover by Arpad Szenes. Lisbon: Imprensa Nacional-Casa da Moeda, 2001
Some Literary Contributions
Cadernos de Poesia, Fascicle 8, Series 2, Lisbon, July 1951. Contains 34 poems by Alberto de Lacerda, including 24 unpublished poems from Ponte Suspensa (October 1946)
msaho, Fascicle 1, Lourenço Marques, Mozambique, October 1952. Includes 4 poems by Alberto de Lacerda
Botteghe Oscure, XX, edited by Marguerite Caetani, Rome, Autumn 1957. Includes 12 poems by Alberto de Lacerda, translated into French by Henri Thomas and the author
From The Times Literary Supplement, London, 21 October 1965, p. 938
Nothing Doing In London One, London, November 1966. Includes 5 poems by Alberto de Lacerda
Esprit, Nouvelle Série, Paris, July-August 1967. Includes a poem by Alberto de Lacerda, “Hommage a Piero Della Francesca”, pp. 23-24
Agenda double translation issue, edited by William Cookson, Vol. 6, Nos. 3-4, London, Autumn-Winter 1968. Includes a poem by Alberto de Lacerda translated by Luís Amorim de Sousa
Esprit, Nouvelle Série, Paris, June 1969. Includes 14 poems by Alberto de Lacerda, translated by Anne-Marie Albiach with the collaboration of Claude Royet-Journould
Reprint from Arion: A Journal of Humanities and the Classics, Vol. 8, No. 4, University of Texas, Winter 1969 (pages 544 – 555). “Nine Poems” by Alberto de Lacerda, translated by David Wevill
The Rag, Austin, May 1970. Includes “Peace March” by Alberto de Lacerda, translated by Harriett Watts
Studies in Modern Portuguese Literature, Tulane Studies in Romance Languages and Literature, No. 4, New Orleans, 1971. Includes “A Poesia Portuguesa entre 1950 e 1970: Notas para um Estudo” by Alberto de Lacerda, pp. 38-56
Partisan Review, John Ashbery, poetry editor, Vol. XLIII, no. 4, Rutgers University, New York, 1976. Includes “Completely New” and “Summer” by Alberto de Lacerda
“Austin” poem by Alberto de Lacerda, published by Pablo Beltrán de Heredia, Santander, 1977
Offprint from Insula, Madrid, 1978. “Apontamentos a lápis para um ensaio sobre Jorge Guillén” by Alberto de Lacerda
World Literature Today, A Literary Quarterly of The University of Oklahoma, Vol. 53, No. 1, Winter 1979, cover photograph of Carlos Drummond de Andrade, courtesy of José. Includes “Two Poems from Midday” by Alberto de Lacerda translated by the author and David Wevill, p. 63
Empire in Transition – The Portuguese World in the Time of Camões, University of Florida Press, Center for Latin American Studies, Gainesville, 1985. Includes “Os Lusíadas e Os Maias: Um Binómio Portuguêse?” by Alberto de Lacerda, pp. 219-230
FGL Boletín de la Fundación Federico García Lorca, No. 1, Madrid, June 1987. Includes “Los ‘Sonetos del Amor Oscuro’, Casi Cincuenta Años Después” by Alberto de Lacerda, pp. 87-89
Offprint from Colóquio/Letras, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, Lisbon, No. 101, Jan-Feb 1988. “Touro Pedro”, poem by Alberto de Lacerda
Clube 50/Artes, No. 2, Lisbon, October 1989, cover sculpture by Jorge Vieira. Includes 3 unpublished poems by Alberto de Lacerda, pp. 35-38
Colóquio Artes, Fundação Calouste Gulbenkian, No. 83, Lisbon, December 1989, cover by Paula Rego, The Family, 1988. Includes “Paula Rego e Londres” by Alberto de Lacerda
L’ARC: Francis Bacon, Librairie Duponchelle, Paris, 1990, cover by David Hurali, Francis Bacon, 1975. Includes “Quelques pensées” by Alberto de Lacerda, pp. 63-64
Bostonia, Boston University, Winter 92-93, cover illustrations of tarot cards by Stuart R. Kaplan, copyright 1986. Includes “Still Lives of Picasso in a Major Exhibition” by Alberto de Lacerda, pp. 34-35
Bostonia, Boston University, Spring 1993, cover drawing by Henri Cartier-Bresson, 1974. Includes “The Mystery Matisse” by Alberto de Lacerda, pp. 48-55
Bostonia, Boston University, Fall 1993, cover by Walter Tandy Murch, The Calculator, c. 1949. Includes “British Watercolors – A Major Reappraisal” by Alberto de Lacerda, pp. 52-57
Bostonia, Boston University, Spring 1994, cover photo of Lucas Foss by Fred Sway, musical manuscripts provided by Lucas Foss. Includes “The Fiction of Machado do Assis” by Alberto de Lacerda, pp. 60-61
Extract from Portuguese Studies, Modern Humanities Research Association, Vol. 10, London, 1994. “Realism and the Romantic Intrusion: The Fiction of Eça de Queiroz and Machado de Assis” by Alberto de Lacerda