An exploration of women's involvement in the Latin American Wars of Independence

Isabel de Orbea

Gender:Female

Ethnic origen: White

Events:

Connections:

Biography:
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.)

References:

(1950) Gaceta del Gobierno de Lima Independiente, Tomos I-III, Julio 1822-dic 1822
Davies, Catherine, Brewster, Claire and Owen, Hilary (2006) South American Independence. Gender, Politics, Text
García y García, Elvira (1924) La mujer peruana a través de los siglos
Martín, Luis (1983) Daughters of the Conquistadores: Women of the Viceroyalty of Peru
Romero de Valle, Emilia (1966) Diccionario manual de literatura peruana y materias afines