Camilo Castelo Branco was a prolific Portuguese writer of the 19th century, born on 16 March 1825. Over his lifetime, he produced over 260 books, including novels, plays, and essays. His writing is considered to be unique as it combines the dramatic and sentimental essence of Romanticism with a distinct mix of sarcasm, bitterness, and dark humour.

Camilo is celebrated not only for his literary works but also for his peculiar wit, anecdotal character, and turbulent life, which ultimately ended in tragedy. His works often focus on local and picturesque themes and align with the Romantic tradition. This contrast with his contemporary, Eça de Queiroz, who was a proponent of Realism, has been a significant aspect of the discourse in Portuguese literary history.

The tension between the literary approaches of Camilo and Eça, often referred to as the 'literary guerrilla,' symbolizes the synthesis of the major currents in 19th-century Portuguese literature. Allegations exist of his initiation into Freemasonry in 1846, though contradictory evidence suggests he fought for the Miguelists during the Revolution of Maria da Fonte.

Camilo's literature reflects his ideals of legitimism and his conservative Catholic traditionalist stance. He was the first Portuguese-language writer to earn a living solely from his writing. His life was filled with many tumultuous events, which often served as inspiration for his novels.