María Jesús Rubiera Mata facts for kids

María Jesús Rubiera Mata (born in Madrid in 1942, died in Alicante on June 7, 2009) was a Spanish historian. She was an expert in the history of Islamic Spain, which is the period when parts of Spain were ruled by Muslims.

Early Life and Education

María Jesús Rubiera Mata began her teaching career at the University Complutense in 1966. This was a big step in her journey to become a respected historian.

A Career in History

In 1982, María Jesús moved to the University of Alicante. Just three years later, in 1985, she became the Chair of Arab and Islamic Studies there. This meant she was in charge of the department that studied the history and culture of Arab and Islamic regions.

She was married to Míkel de Epalza, who was also a historian specializing in Islamic Spain at the same university. Together, they were a powerful team in the world of history.

Founding a Journal

María Jesús and her husband, Míkel, started a special journal called Sharq al-Andalus. A journal is like a magazine where experts publish their research and findings. This journal focused on Islamic and Arabic history in the West, especially in the Iberian Peninsula (which includes Spain and Portugal). It helped share important historical knowledge with other scholars.

Legacy and Passing

María Jesús Rubiera Mata passed away on June 7, 2009, after a long illness. Her work helped many people better understand the rich history of Islamic Spain.

See also

In Spanish: María Jesús Rubiera Mata para niños