José Cardoso Pires (1925-1998) was a Portuguese author of short stories, novels, plays, and political satire. Born in the Castelo Branco district, he studied mathematics at the University of Lisbon, but left school to join the merchant marine, from which he was discharged for disciplinary problems. Deviting himself to writing, he taught Portuguese and Brazilian literature at King's College, London. In 1995, he suffered a stroke, which formed the background for his final novel De Profundis, valsa lenta. He died of another stroke in 1998.
His works include:
