María Isidra de Guzmán y de la Cerda facts for kids
María Isidra de Guzmán y de la Cerda was a very smart Spanish woman who lived from 1767 to 1803. She is famous for being the first woman in Spain to earn a special university degree called a Doctor of Philosophy. This was a huge achievement for women at that time!
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Early Life and Amazing Education
María Isidra was born on October 31, 1767. Her parents were very important people in Spain. Her father was Diego Ventura de Guzmán, a Marquis and Count, and her mother was María Isidra de la Cerda, a Duchess. Being from such a high-ranking family meant she had many advantages.
María Isidra received an incredibly good education, which was rare for girls back then. People even called her the "child prodigy" of the king, meaning she was a super-talented and smart child.
Breaking Barriers at University
Because she was so brilliant, King Charles III of Spain gave her special permission to study at the University of Alcalá. This was a big deal because universities usually didn't allow women to attend.
In 1785, María Isidra made history. She graduated from the university with a Doctor of Philosophy degree. This made her the very first woman in Spain to achieve such a high academic honor. After graduating, the university made her an honorary professor of philosophy. People often called her "Doctora de Alcalá" to celebrate her amazing accomplishment.
A Woman of Many Firsts
María Isidra's achievements didn't stop there. She was also chosen to be an honorary member of several important Spanish groups:
- The Real Academia de la Historia (Royal Academy of History)
- The Real Academia Española (Royal Spanish Academy), which focuses on the Spanish language
In 1784, she became the first female member of the Real Sociedad Económica Matritense de Amigos del País (Royal Economic Society of Madrid). This society worked to improve the country's economy and culture. She also received special honors like the Junta de Damas Nobles and the Orden de damas nobles de María Luisa. These were awards given to noblewomen for their service or achievements.
In 1787, María Isidra showed her language skills by translating a book by an ancient writer named Columella from Latin into Spanish.
In 1789, she married Alfonso de Sousa, who was also a Marquis from an important family.
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