The Portuguese poet Luis Vaz de Camoëns (1524-1580), or Camões, is best known for "The Lusiads," which is among the best modern epics. He was a lyricist of rare perfection and is considered the greatest poet of the Portuguese language.

Luis de Camoëns was the son of Simão Vaz, from Coimbra, and Ana de Sá e Macedo. The date of his birth is fairly well established; however, such is not the case with his place of birth. Of the various cities which claim the honor, Lisbon has the best claim, with Coimbra a second possibility. He was a cavalleiro fidalgo (untitled nobleman) and was descended from a noble and wealthy family of Galician origin which had settled in Portugal in the late 14th century, as a result of the civil wars that raged in Castile. He was also related...