Isabel Cheix

Isabel Cheix Martinez (18 January 1839 – 6 August 1899) was a Spanish writer and poet born in Málaga, in the province of Andalucia. She wrote a number of historical, religious and romantic novels under the pseudonym of Martín Ávila, as well as poetry and several stage plays. She received a number of literary awards during her life.

Early life Isabel Cheix was one of eight children born to Don Santiago Cheix and Doña María Amparo Martínez. Her father was a well-educated, wealthy mining engineer, who moved between Almería, Málaga and Seville. She was educated in Almería, but moved at an early age to Seville, where she spent her life and where she wrote, at age nine, her first poem Al Lucero de la Mañana (To the Morning Star).

When Cheix was 19 years old her mother died and she took upon herself the task of caring for her seven siblings, all younger than her. She had to suspend her literary activities and dedicate herself to the care of her family and home. She spent her life between domestic tasks and what she called her “childhood hobby”.

Books: La Cruz del Valle - poems 1894 Al Lucero de la Mañana Narraciones Infantiles with Alvaro Lopez Nuñez La Reformadora de Carmelo, The story of St. Theresa de Jesus. 1893 Romancero de Don Pedro I de Castilla 1898 Jornadas de Belén 1867 Estrella del Mar, Historia de la Virgen Maria, instrucciones familiares dedicada a las niñas. 1872 El lirio de los valles: La Virgen de Valvanera. 1902 La Madre Vicenta María Lopez y Vicuña [fundadora del Instituto de María Inmaculada para el Servicio Doméstico] 1898 La Romería del Rocío El Plato de China

Poems: La Cruz del Valle 1894 Al Lucero de la Mañana Los Dolores de la Santisima Virgen La Muerte de Cervantes

Short plays: Magdalena: A drama in one act divided into three scenes. 1896 Violeta: Comedy in one act in verse. 1906 La Tia Lechuza.