ALFÂNDEGA STREET, 123: A FORGOTTEN HOME ADDRESS OF MACHADO DE ASSIS?

Abstract

Many addresses where Machado de Assis lived are known to his biographers, but it seems likely that others are still unknown. From the discovery of a record in a newspaper at the time, this research seeks to ascertain whether the writer would have inhabited Alfândega Street, 123 in 1867. In the absence of other direct evidence, parallel information is sought that could disprove the data, without result that disappointed it. In addition to that, an investigation is carried out on the property, in order to understand its plan and to check if the building still exists in Rio de Janeiro today. Finally, this space is related to a passage from Machado’s work.

Keywords:
Machado de Assis; Home addresses; Urban geography of Rio de Janeiro in the 19th century; Periodicals room of the Biblioteca Nacional