Solis, Antonio De

Solis, Antonio De, a Spanish ecclesiastic and poet, was born at Placenza, in Old Castile, July 18, 1610, and was sent to Salamanca to study law. His preference, however, was for poetry, which he cultivated with great success, so that he was considered by Corlero to have been the best comic poet that Spain ever saw. He became secretary to the count de Oropesa, and in 1642 Philip IV made him one of his secretaries. After Philip's death the queen-regent made him first historiographer of the Indies, a place of great profit as well as honor. Eventually Solis resolved to dedicate himself to the service of the Church, and was ordained a priest at the age of fifty-seven. He now wrote nothing but some dramatic pieces upon subjects of devotion, which are represented in Spain on certain festivals. He died April 19, 1686. His Comedies were printed at Madrid (1681. 4to): — his sacred and profane poems at the same place (1716, 4to): — his History of Mexico often, but particularly at Brussels (1704, fol.). There is also a collection of his Letters. (Madrid, 1737). See Hoefer, Nouv. Biog. Generale, s.v.