Woman intellect of 16th century – Luisa de Medrano

One of Europe’s 16th-century woman intellectuals was Luisa de Medrano.

It is widely assumed that poet and philosopher Luisa de Medrano became Spain’s first female professor in 1508.

On this day in 1484, Luisa de Medrano was born in Atienza, Spain, which is now part of Guadalajara.

Her father was a member of the military order “Twelve Lineages of Soria” and died in battle during the Conquest of Granada.

The Catholic Monarchs recognised the family’s sacrifice and accepted Luisa and her siblings as noble children.

De Medrano made history in the early 16th century when she became the first female professor at the University of Salamanca.