MATTOS, Gregorio de (mat-tos), Brazilian scholar, born in Bahia, 7 April, 1613: died in Angola in 1696. His parents sent him to receive his scientific and literary training at Coimbra, where he began to acquire note as a satirical poet. After spending some time in the office of a lawyer in Lisbon, he was admitted to the bar. Having declined to accept the appointment of judge in a political case, he lost the favor of the regent of Portugal, Pedro II, and returned to Brazil, where he found employment as treasurer of the cathedral of Bahia. In 1681 he received minor orders, but, as he declined to use the religious habit when he was not in the performance of his duties, he was suspected of heresy and declined to receive orders. In consequence he was dismissed from his post.

In 1684 he married and opened a law-office in Bahia, but, as he had the enmity of the government and the clergy, he did not improve his situation. He had published several of his poetical compositions, which, though highly esteemed by intelligent persons, were much disliked by the political and ecclesiastical authorities on account of their bitter satire. The unfriendly feeling against him became so strong that at last he was banished to Angola, where he found protection, and finished the correction of his compositions, but died soon afterward. His works in six volumes remained in manuscript till lately, when the "Institute Geographico Brasileiro" took steps to publish them under its supervision.

--His brother, Euzebio de Mattos, Brazilian clergyman, born in Bahia in 1629; died there in 1690. He became a Jesuit in 1644, but left the company and entered a convent of Carmelites, where he took the name of Euzebio da Soledade. He was an eloquent preacher, and published several works, including "Ecce Homo," "Espiuhos, Purpura, Cordas, Canna e Chagas," "Titulo de homem," "Oração funebre feita a 14 de Julho de 1762 a obispo D. Estevao dos Santos," "Sermão da Soledade," and "Serrates." He also composed several pieces of poetry.

Edited Appleton's Encyclopedia, by John Looby Copyright © 2001 StanKlos.com^TM