Irene Lisboa facts for kids

Irene Lisboa was a famous Portuguese writer. She wrote many different kinds of books, like novels, short stories, poems, and essays. She also wrote books to help people learn. Her stories and poems are very important in modern Portuguese writing.

About Irene's Early Life

Irene Lisboa was born on December 25, 1892, in a place called Quinta da Murzinheira, in Arruda dos Vinhos, Portugal. She grew up in a very rich family on their large estate.

She went to school in Lisbon, first at Escola Normal Primeira de Lisboa. Then, she finished high school at a boarding school called Convento do Sacramento. After that, she traveled to Belgium, France, and Switzerland to study pedagogy. Pedagogy is the study of how to teach and educate people. In Geneva, Switzerland, she learned from a famous teacher named Édouard Claparède.

Her Career as a Writer and Educator

After her studies, Irene Lisboa worked as a teacher. Later, she became a school inspector, which meant she visited schools to make sure they were teaching well. She also worked for an important organization called the Institute of High Culture.

Irene Lisboa sometimes used different names when she wrote. These are called pen names. She used Manuel Soares for her books about education. For her early poems and stories, she used João Falcó. This was because, at that time, it was not always easy for women writers to be accepted. Even with a male pen name, her writing often showed that the person telling the story was a woman.

From 1926 until she passed away in 1958, Irene Lisboa wrote many books. She published poems, short stories, novels, and books for children. She also wrote essays about literature and education. Her works were popular in both Portugal and Brazil. A well-known poet and critic named Jorge de Sena said she was one of the "greatest Portuguese writers." He admired her unique style and personality.

Irene Lisboa passed away in Lisbon on November 25, 1958. This was just one month before her 66th birthday.

Her Books

Irene Lisboa wrote many different types of books. Here are some of her well-known works:

• 1943: Apontamentos – These were writings that felt like a personal diary.
• 1940: Começa uma vida – This was a story about her own life.
• 1942: Esta cidade! – This book was a reportage, which means it was a factual account or report about a place.
• 1958: Título qualquer serve – Another reportage book.
• 1965: Solidão – More writings that were like a diary.

She also wrote important educational books:

• 1942: A psychologica do desenho infantil – About the psychology of children's drawings.
• 1944: Educaçao – A book about education.

Tributes and Honors

Irene Lisboa has been honored in several ways:

• In 1989, she was given the title of Commander of the Order of Liberty. This is a special award in Portugal.
• There is a statue (a bust) dedicated to her in her hometown.
• A street in Lisbon is named after her, called Rua Irene Lisboa. It is near the Alverca Air Base.