Florestan Fernandes

Florestan Fernandes (1920-1995) was a Brazilian sociologist and politician born into poverty in São Paulo, who rose to become a full professor at the University of São Paulo and a pioneer of critical sociology in Brazil. His most notable works include A integração do negro na sociedade de classes (1965), challenging racial myths, A revolução burguesa no Brasil (1975), and The Negro in Brazilian Society, earning him the Prêmio Jabuti in 1964, Brazil's top literary award. Exiled during the military dictatorship, he later served as a federal deputy for the Workers' Party (PT), advocating for public education and social equality.