Born: 31 October 1767, Spain
Died: 5 March 1803
Country most active: Spain
Also known as: María de Guzmán, Isidra de Guzmán, Doctor of Alcalá
The following bio was written by Emma Rosen, author of On This Day She Made History: 366 Days With Women Who Shaped the World and This Day In Human Ingenuity & Discovery: 366 Days of Scientific Milestones with Women in the Spotlight, and has been republished with permission.
María Isidra de Guzmán y de la Cerda was renowned in Spanish history for her academic achievements. She was the first Spanish woman to earn a Doctor of Philosophy degree.
Born to Diego Ventura de Guzmán y Fernández de Córdoba, the 7th Marquis de Montealegre and 13th Count of Onate, and María Isidra de la Cerda, the 14th Duchess of Najera and Grandee of Spain, María Isidra received an exceptional education, gaining recognition as a child prodigy.
María Isidra received special permission from Charles III of Spain to study at the University of Alcalá, where she graduated in 1785 with a Doctor of Philosophy degree. She was later appointed an honorary philosophy professor at the university and given the title of Doctora de Alcala.
María Isidra’s contributions to academia led to her being named an honorary member of the Real Academia de la Historia and the Real Academia Española. She also became the first woman to join the Real Sociedad Económica Matritense de Amigos del País in 1784. The Junta de Damas Nobles de Honor y Mérito and the Orden de damas nobles de María Luisa further recognized her outstanding achievements.
In 1787, María Isidra translated Columella’s Latin works.