American Writers

Sor Juana Inés de la Cruz (1651-95) is considered among the greatest writers of Mexico, a central figure of 17th-century Latin American literature, and an early feminist who championed the right of women to acquire knowledge. She was born on the hacienda of Nepantla to parents who were not married and placed in the custody of her maternal grandfather. In 1667, she joined the Order of Discalced Carmelites in Mexico City, where she was free to pursue her intellectual and literary interests. She owned a library of some 4,000 books, and became deeply learned in literature philosophy, theology, astronomy, music, and painting. She wrote plays, essays, and Christmas carols, but is best known for her lyrical poetry.