antônio gonçalves dias was born in caxias on august 10, 1823, to a portuguese father, joão manuel gonçalves dias and a "cafuza" mother, vicência ferreira. after completing his studies in latin, french and philosophy, he went in 1838 to portugal to earn a degree in law at the university of coimbra. there he wrote his most remembered poem, "canção do exílio". he graduated in 1845 and returned to brazil in the same year. he went to rio de janeiro, living there until 1854. there he wrote for newspapers, and began to write the drama "leonor de mendonça" in 1846 and his first poetry book, "primeiros cantos", in 1847. it was very well-received, and alexandre herculano wrote an article praising it. dias finished his play "leonor de mendonça" also in 1847, and tried to have it performed at the conservatório de música do rio de janeiro, but the play was not accepted.