Artur da Távola
| Artur da Távola | |
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
3 January 1936 Rio de Janeiro |
| Died |
9 May 2008 Rio de Janeiro |
Paulo Alberto Moretzsohn Monteiro de Barros (3 January 1936 – 9 May 2008), better known by the pseudonym Artur da Távola, was a Brazilian politician, Senator, journalist, and writer.[1]
Távola began his career as a journalist and writer. He authored twenty-three books during the course of his career.[1] He did not enter politics until 1960.[1] He was forced into exile in Bolivia and Chile from 1964 until 1968 due to Brazil's military dictatorship, which remained in power from 1964 until 1985.[1] Távola adopted his well known pseudonym "Artur da Tavola," which was a reference to King Arthur.[1] His adopted name allowed him to resume his career in journalism while the military dictatorship was still in power.[1]
Távola returned to politics following the end of military rule in 1985. He participated in the 1988 constituent assembly and served as a federal deputy from 1987 until 1995.[1] He was elected to the Brazilian Senate from Rio de Janeiro in 1994 and took office in 1995.[1] He remained in office in the Senate until 2002.[1]
Távola was a founding member of the Brazilian Social Democracy Party (PSDB), which governed the country from 1995 until 2002.[1] However, Távola formally left the Brazilian Social Democracy Party in 1999 as the result of a dispute with Brazilian President Fernando Henrique Cardoso.[1] Távola accused Cardoso, who was another founder of the PSDB, of abandoning the party's social democracy ideals for more conservative policies.[1]
Artur da Távola died of heart disease in Copacabana, Rio de Janeiro, at the age of 72 on May 9, 2008.[1]