A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Cornaro, Helena Lucretia
CORNARO, HELENA LUCRETIA,
A learned Venetian lady, was the daughter of Gio Baptista Comaro, and educated in a very different manner from her sex generally: she was taught languages, sciences, and the philosophy of the schools, difficult as it then was. She took her degrees at Padua, and was perhaps the first lady who was made a doctor. She was also admitted to the university at Rome, where she had the title of Humble given her, as she had that of Unalterable at Padua. She deserved both these appellations, since all her learning had not inspired her with vanity, nor could anything disturb her calmness and tranquility of mind. She made a vow of virginity, and though all means were used to persuade her to marry, and dispensation obtained from the Pope, she remained immoveable. She exercised upon herself the discipline of flagellation, fasted often, and spent nearly her whole time in study and devotion.
Persons of note who passed through Venice were more desirous to see her than any of the curiosities of that superb city. The Cardinals de Bouillon and d'Etreés were commanded by the King of France to call on her, on their journey through Italy, and examine whether what was said of her was true; and they found that she fully equalled her high reputation all over Europe. Her severe studies impaired her health, and she died in 1685.
As soon as the news of her death reached Rome, the academicians, called Infecondi, who had admitted her to their society, made innumerable odes and epitaphs to her memory. They celebrated a funeral solemnity in her honour, in the college of the Barnabite friars, with the highest pomp and magnificence; and one of the academicians made a funeral oration, in which he expatiated on all her great and valuable qualities.