John, a celebrated Portuguese historian, born at Vilco in 1496. He was educated at the court of King Emanuel, among the princes of the blood, and made a great progress in Greek and Latin. The Infant John, to whom he attached himself, and became preceptor, having succeeded the king his father in 1521, Barros obtained a place in this prince's household; and in 1522, was made governor of St George del Mina, on the coast of Guinea. Three years after, the king having recalled him to court, made him treasurer of the Indies, and this post inspired him with the thought of writing this history, for which purpose purpose he retired to Pompas, where he died in 1570. His history of Asia and the Indies is divided into decades; the first of which he published in 1552, the second in 1553, and the third in 1563; but the fourth decade was not published till the year 1615, when it appeared by order of King Philip III. who had the manuscript purchased of the heirs of John Barros. Several authors have continued it, so that we have at present 12 decades. He left many other works; some of which have been printed, and others remain in manuscript.