Galindo, Beatriz (1475–1534)

Spanish scholar, essayist, and poet. Name variations: Beatrice or Beatrix Galindo; La Latina; M. Francisco Ramírez de Madrid. Born in Salamanca, Spain, in 1475; died in Madrid in 1534; buried with her husband at the Convent of Conception Jéronima, which she founded; married Francisco Ramírez de Madrid.

Selected works:

poetry and essays, including the still extant Comentarios a Aristóteles y notas sabios sobre los antiguos.

Although her parents wanted her to enter the cloisters, and she is said to have dressed as a nun, Beatriz Galindo chose a secular scholarly life, studying Latin and the classics. She is known particularly for her influence on the Castilian court of Queen Isabella I of Spain, where she educated people on these subjects and thus helped foster the growth of humanism in Spain. Christopher Columbus was educated at this court. The queen hired Galindo to teach her and her children, including Isabella of Asturias, Juana la Loca, Maria of Castile , and Catherine of Aragon , then made the scholar a personal advisor and maid of honor. Galindo's greatest influence was made in her informal work in the court, although she also published treatises on classical authors and poetry.

She married Francisco Ramírez de Madrid, also known as "el Artillero" for his heroism at war in Granada. After he died, she left the court to devote her time to charity. Galindo financed the building of the Hospital of the Conception, which was later renamed La Latina after her. She also founded the Convent of Conception Jéronima, where she and her husband are buried.

Catherine Hundleby , M.A. Philosophy, University of Guelph, Guelph, Ontario, Canada