A Biographical Dictionary of the Celebrated Women of Every Age and Country/Gonzaga, (Lucretia)
GONZAGA, (LUCRETIA) an Italian Lady, in the 16th Century,
Famous for her wit, learning, and elegant style of writing, and illustrious for her high birth. Her letters were written in so fine a manner, that they were carefully preserved, and a collection of them printed at Venice, in 1552. There is in them no shew of learning; yet, in a letter to Robortellus, she declares, that his commentaries had led her into the true sense of several obscure passages in Aristotle and Æschilus. All the wits of her time were unanimous in her praise, and Hortensio Lando dedicated a work to her, Upon moderating the Passions of the Soul. They corresponded, and she wrote above thirty letters to him, which have all been printed.
She was married to John Paul Maufrane, when she was not fourteen years old, and his conduct afterwards gave her infinite uneasiness. He engaged in a conspiracy against the duke of Ferrara; was detected, imprisoned, and condemned, but not executed; yet she strove in vain to procure his enlargement. She applied to all the powers in Christendom to intercede for him, and even solicited the Grand Signior to make himself master of the castle, in which her husband was imprisoned, without doing other injury to the European powers. What made her the more active was, because she was not permitted to visit him, and they had only the liberty of writing to each other. But all her efforts were fruitless; he died in prison, and shewed himself so impatient under his misfortunes, that it was imagined he lost his senses.
After his death, she would never listen to any proposals of marriage, though several were made. She had by him four daughters. At his death two only were living, whom she put into a nunnery. All that came from her pen was so highly esteemed, that a collection was made even of the notes she wrote to her servants; several of which are to be seen in the edition of her letters.
Many ladies of this name were famous for their learning and other great qualities.