Maria Bibiana Benitez (December 10, 1783 – April 18, 1873) born in Aguadilla, Puerto Rico, was Puerto Rico's first known poetess and one of its first playwrights.
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Early years
Benitez, (born Maria Bibiana Benitez Constanza) was born into a middle class family in the town of Aguadilla. Her father Jose Benitez, was a lieutenant in the Spanish Army who on April 28, 1797 defended "La Puntilla" against an English invasion. He was married to Juana Bautista Benitez. Her family loved literature and owned a private library which contained a collection of the best books available at the time. Her father could afford such a luxury since he also held an important position within the Spanish colonial government. Benitez was able to attend the best private schools where she learned about poetry and composition. In 1813, she moved to the coastal town of Luquillo, where she wrote the majority of her poems. In 1820, her brother Pedro Jose Benotez and his wife died and she took it upon herself to raise her orphaned niece Alejandrina Benitez de Gautier, who would in the future become a renowned poetess herself. Benitez was also the great-aunt of whom is considered to be the greatest Puerto Rican poet, Jose Gautier Benitez.
Literary works
In 1832, Benitez published her first poem, "La Ninfa de Puerto Rico", which is considered to be the first poem written by a Puerto Rican woman. She also became the first Puerto Rican woman to write a dramatic play when she wrote "La Cruz del Morro" (The Cross of El Morro). The play was based on the attack of the city of San Juan by the Dutch with the intention of invading Puerto Rico in 1625 and the heroic defense by the islanders. This was the first dramatic play written in Puerto Rico dealing with a local historical event. Among her better known poems are: "Soneto" (1839), "Diálogo Alegórico" (1858) and "A La Vejez."
Later years
Benitez moved to the Calle Cristo in city of San Juan. In San Juan she presented her play and she also published the rest of her poems. Among her better known poems are "Soneto" (1839} and "Dialogo Alegorico" (1858}. Maria Bibiana Benitez died on April 18, 1873 in San Juan Puerto Rico.
Books
There is a book written about her life titled "Los Silencios De Maria Bibiana Benitez" by Maria Arrillaga.
