Born: 1740, Colombia
Died: 1817
Country most active: Colombia
Also known as: María Manuela Sanz de Santamaría y Prieto de Salazar
The following is excerpted from “400 Outstanding Women of the World and the Costumology of Their Time” by Minna Moscherosch Schmidt, published in 1933.
Dona Manuela was the Erudite Woman of the colony. She was born in Santafe (today known as Bogota) and was the daughter of don Francisco Sanz de Santa Maria y Doha Petronella Prieto y Rycaurte; her husband was Dr. Francisco Gonzalez Manrique. She organized in her home a literary academy known as the Sociedad de “El Buen Gusto” (Society of “the Good Taste”), where revolutionary ideas were stimulated and which was attended by several of the great Colombian patriots, among whom we may especially mention Camilo Torres and the great scientist Francisco Jose de Caldas. Her two brothers and the two sons of this celebrated patriot who also attended the society referred to, became famous later in the War for Independence. This Colombian lady was a member of the most illustrious colonial nobility.
She was of great intelligence, a large imagination and exquisite taste. She cultivated highly the study of literature and was a naturalist. She was well versed in Latin, French and Italian and was very gracious and cultured. The celebrated German explorer, Baron Humboldt who visited Santafe, met Dona Manuela and spoke highly of her. The Society that Dona Manuela organized had a great influence in starting the War of Independence of 1810.