Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651?–95) was a notable author of the Latin American colonial era and of the Hispanic Baroque. She was a poet, playwright, scholar, and nun. Sor Juana was as prolific as she was encyclopedic despite having little access to formal schooling and being nearly totally self-taught.

Juana Ramrez de Asbaje was born in San Miguel Nepantla, Viceroyalty of New Spain, on November 12, 1651 (1648, according to a baptismal document) (now in Mexico). She was brought to live with relatives in Mexico City, where the viceroy was impressed by her intelligence. In 1664, he invited her to court as a lady-in-waiting and later had eminent academics examine her knowledge. Sor (Spanish: "Sister") Juana began her life as a nun with the Discalced Carmelites order in 1667 because she wished to devote her entire life to studies. Two years later, she relocated to Mexico City's Santa Paula Convent of the Hieronymite order, a more tolerant institution, where she took her vows. For the remainder of her life, Sor Juana stayed in the Santa Paula Convent.

At the convent, Sor Juana wrote, studied, and instructed the female students at Santa Paula's school in music and drama. She also performed accounting and archive tasks. Along with a collection of musical and scientific equipment, Sor Juana gathered one of the biggest private libraries in the New World. She was supported by the marquis and marquise de la Laguna for eight years starting in 1680, which enabled her to maintain her remarkable level of freedom. In the 1680s, Sor Juana rose to the position of unofficial court poet. She made contributions to the world beyond the convent through her dramas in verse, sporadic poetry, commissioned religious services, and poems for state festivals.