Isabel de Orbea

Other names/titles:
Gender: F
Ethnic origin: White

Biographical details

A poet who was dedicated to philosophic speculations characterised by liberalism. In 1790 she was prosecuted by the Inquisition and later decorated by San Martín with the Orden del Sol. She wrote a Homage to José Baquíjano y Carrillo that was published in 1812. (Romero de Valle, 230)

She was friends with Manuela de Orrantia and Rita Unamunsaga who were “collaborators” of the founders of El Mercurio Peruano. She was known as “one of the most avid readers of the French encyclopaedists, authors considered dangerous by ecclesiastical authorities”. She attended Orrantia’s salons. (Martín, 72-75)

She was awarded the Orden del Sol by San Martín in 1822. (Gaceta de Lima, 23-1-1822, p.4)

An inspired poet from an aristocratic family, who wrote spontaneous lyrical verses since she was a child. She also wrote romances and novels. She wrote many liberal máximas, which caused suspicion and fear in the clergy. The Inquisition forbade her to write and she decided her best course of action was to stay absolutely silent. (García y García, 182-183)

A woman of this name is listed as from 4 barrio, cuartel 2, Lima, who sewed 6 shirts free of charge for the liberation army. (Gaceta del Gobierno de Lima Independiente, 20 de feb de 1822, p.8.)