Alice Bache Gould
Encyclopedia
Alice Bache Gould was a prominent American
historian. She studied mostly Christopher Columbus
and Queen Isabella I of Castile
. Gould found the so-called Capitulations of Santa Fe
, that granted Columbus the title of Admiral of the Ocean Sea, and was praised particularly for ability to read the penmanship of the court scribes. Her studies resulted into the most complete biographical account of Columbus' crew.
In 1942, Gould became the only female corresponding member of Real Academia de la Historia
and was awarded the Order of Isabella the Catholic (in 1952).
, Gould spent the childhood in Argentina
. In World War I
she worked as a volunteer in the espionage office of the United States embassy in Spain and led an effort to send female clerical workers to the embassy for assistance. The Spanish Civil War
in 1936 forced her to return to Boston
but after the war she returned to Spain.
Gould's articles identified 87 of the 90 crewmen. Her studies showed, that only four of the Columbus crew had problems with the law, destroying the version that most of them were criminals and jailbirds. She also demonstrated that no Englishman, Irishman or other North European was aboard the Columbus ships. and proved that Pedro de Lepe, whose existence had long been disputed, had sailed with Columbus on the Santa María
.
Gould died of cerebral hemorrhage. A square in Simancas was named after her.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
historian. She studied mostly Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus
Christopher Columbus was an explorer, colonizer, and navigator, born in the Republic of Genoa, in northwestern Italy. Under the auspices of the Catholic Monarchs of Spain, he completed four voyages across the Atlantic Ocean that led to general European awareness of the American continents in the...
and Queen Isabella I of Castile
Isabella I of Castile
Isabella I was Queen of Castile and León. She and her husband Ferdinand II of Aragon brought stability to both kingdoms that became the basis for the unification of Spain. Later the two laid the foundations for the political unification of Spain under their grandson, Charles V, Holy Roman Emperor...
. Gould found the so-called Capitulations of Santa Fe
Capitulations of Santa Fe
The Capitulations of Santa Fe between Christopher Columbus and the Catholic Monarchs were signed in Santa Fe, Granada on April 17, 1492. They granted Columbus the titles of Admiral of the Ocean Sea, the Viceroy, the Governor-General and honorific Don, and also the tenth part of all riches to be...
, that granted Columbus the title of Admiral of the Ocean Sea, and was praised particularly for ability to read the penmanship of the court scribes. Her studies resulted into the most complete biographical account of Columbus' crew.
In 1942, Gould became the only female corresponding member of Real Academia de la Historia
Real Academia de la Historia
Real Academia de la Historia is a Spanish institution based in Madrid that studies history "ancient and modern, political, civil, ecclesiastical, military, scientific, of letters and arts, that is to say, the different branches of life, of civilisation, and of the culture of the Spanish...
and was awarded the Order of Isabella the Catholic (in 1952).
Life and researches
Being from the Quincy political familyQuincy political family
The Quincy family was a prominent political family in the United States during the mid-17th century through early 20th century and is connected to the Adams family through Abigail Adams....
, Gould spent the childhood in Argentina
Argentina
Argentina , officially the Argentine Republic , is the second largest country in South America by land area, after Brazil. It is constituted as a federation of 23 provinces and an autonomous city, Buenos Aires...
. In World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
she worked as a volunteer in the espionage office of the United States embassy in Spain and led an effort to send female clerical workers to the embassy for assistance. The Spanish Civil War
Spanish Civil War
The Spanish Civil WarAlso known as The Crusade among Nationalists, the Fourth Carlist War among Carlists, and The Rebellion or Uprising among Republicans. was a major conflict fought in Spain from 17 July 1936 to 1 April 1939...
in 1936 forced her to return to Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
but after the war she returned to Spain.
Gould's articles identified 87 of the 90 crewmen. Her studies showed, that only four of the Columbus crew had problems with the law, destroying the version that most of them were criminals and jailbirds. She also demonstrated that no Englishman, Irishman or other North European was aboard the Columbus ships. and proved that Pedro de Lepe, whose existence had long been disputed, had sailed with Columbus on the Santa María
Santa María (ship)
La Santa María de la Inmaculada Concepción , was the largest of the three ships used by Christopher Columbus in his first voyage. Her master and owner was Juan de la Cosa.-History:...
.
Gould died of cerebral hemorrhage. A square in Simancas was named after her.