Luís de Camões (1524-1580) is considered one of the most significant poets of Portugal in the 16th century, alongside Francisco de Sá de Miranda and António Ferreira. He came from a once-noble family that had fallen into poverty, studied in Coimbra, and arrived at the court in Lisbon in 1542, from which he was later expelled due to a duel. He then led a restless life and was imprisoned multiple times. Camões traveled to various Portuguese colonies, including Goa and Macao, where he composed the national epic "Os Lusíadas." Camões died in complete poverty from the plague. Since 1989, the "Prémio Camões," named after him, has been awarded annually as the highest literary prize in Portugal.