Maria Nestora Tellez

María Nestora Téllez (25 February 1828 – 9 December 1890) was a Mexican writer and teacher, known mainly for her allegorical novel Staurofila.

Early years and education Nestora Téllez was born in San Juan del Rio, Queretaro, on 25 February 1828, and baptized the day after, as María Josefa Francisca de Paula. Nevertheless, being then the day of Saint Nestor, she took the name of Nestora. Her parents were Antonio Tellez, who had been a member of the Queretaro Conspiracy (root of the Mexican War of Independence), and Trinidad Rendon, both teachers.

When she was one year old, she suffered an eye disease that left her blind. She lived then in Toliman, Queretaro.

As she was teaching without having the title of professor, she submitted a test to obtain this document in 1866. She obtained the title and was also conferred the Cross of the Order of Saint Charles during the Second Mexican Empire. In 1873, she underwent an eyes surgical operation, carried out by Dr. Carmona and Valle. After the operation, she recovered the sight partially and temporarily, but soon she returned to blindness. Three years later, Staurofila, her only novel, was published again with the mention of the author's name.