João Guimarães Rosa (27 June 1908 – 19 November 1967) was a Brazilian novelist, short story writer, poet, and diplomat, celebrated as one of the most innovative voices in 20th-century Brazilian literature. His magnum opus, Grande Sertão: Veredas (translated as The Devil to Pay in the Backlands), stands as a cornerstone of Brazilian literature, drawing comparisons to James Joyce's Ulysses for its linguistic innovation and profound philosophical themes. Rosa's work, characterized by its blend of archaic and colloquial prose alongside a plethora of neologisms, draws heavily from the spoken language of the Brazilian backlands.

Rosa's literary output, while limited, was profound, consisting of one novel and four books of short stories that explore life in the sertão, but also touch on universal themes of existential nature. His influence extends beyond the bounds of literature; in 1963, he was inducted into the Brazilian Academy of Letters, a testament to his impact on Brazilian culture. Despite his death in 1967, the year he was nominated for the Nobel Prize in Literature, Rosa's legacy endures, with Grande Sertão: Veredas being named among the top 100 books of all time in a 2002 poll by the Bokklubben World Library.

Born in Cordisburgo, Minas Gerais, Rosa was a polymath, self-taught in many areas and fluent in several languages from an early age. His early life was marked by extensive studies and a profound interest in the language and culture of his homeland, setting the stage for his later literary achievements.