Born: 23 March 1814, Cuba
Died: 1 February 1873
Country most active: Spain
Also known as: María Gertrudis de los Dolores Gómez de Avellaneda y Arteaga, La Peregrina, La Avellaneda, Tula
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
Renowned poetess, born in Camaguey, Cuba. When she was six years old, she wrote her first poem.
The first edition of her Poems was published in Madrid, 1841, with an introduction by the notable Spanish poet Juan Nicasio Gallego. In this introduction he stated, “That the Cuban poetess had the glory of being the paramount amongst all women who have cultivated the Spanish literature.” Her first classic tragedy, Alfonso Mtmio was first played with great success in Madrid, 1844, and the same year her tragedy in four acts. The Prince of Vienna was played, obtaining the warmest praise from the principal Spanish literary authorities. The biblical tragedy Saul (Madrid, 1849) which is one of her best works, was translated into three foreign languages and the French critic Durrieu said of it; “It was one of the most daring and happiest conception in the Spanish letters.” In 1858, her masterpiece Baltasar, was played in Madrid. It consisted of a classical drama in four acts, all in verse, which merited the following judgment from the notable critic, Sr. Severn Catalina: “It is a creation which gives great brilliancy to the Spanish drama, which is the most difficult aspect of literature, demanding the greatest talent and ability; the authoress has attained in the highest degree success in the arduous science of drama writing.” Her drama Baltasar was also presented in Italy and Portugal and was published in English (New York, 1908). Referring to the poetess, Avellaneda, the notable critic Juan Valera said: “As a lyric poetess, she is peerless and there is no one to compete with her in Spain or in other countries.
Another literary writer of no less reputation, Nicomedes Pastor, affirmed, “That she was the greatest poetess of all times.” Shortly before her death, she published, in Madrid, her Obras Literarias (Literary Works) in five volumes (1869-1871).