Castro, Públia Hortênsia de (1548–1595)

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Castro, Públia Hortênsia de (1548–1595)

Portuguese scholar and orator. Name variations: Publia Hortensia de Castro; Hortensia de Castro. Born 1548 in Portugal; died 1595.

At 17, disguised herself as a man to earn a doctorate in Philosophy and Letters from University of Coimbra; thought to be 1st woman orator in Portugal, also wrote poetry and was considered one of leading intellectuals in the court of Philip II; awarded lifetime pension by the king.

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