In Memoriam María Ester Martínez Sanz

Abstract

After her first studies at the UC, Professor Martínez obtained Master of Arts (1971) at the University of Wisconsin- Madison and a PH.D (1988) at the University of Indiana. Her solid formation and passionate and generous spirit allowed her to play a fundamental role in the creation of the Instituto de Letras UC in 1971, and in its subsequent transformation into a faculty.Academic Secretary of the Instituto de Letras UC in three opportunities and of the Facultad de Letras from 1991 to 1996, she also directed the Literature Department, actively participated in the creation of the academic journal Taller de Letras, being its Director during more than a decade. She obtained the support of the Fulbright Fundation in order to create the programme of MA in American Literature and Civilization in our university, being also its first director. She endeavoured to establish the prestigious prize José Nuez Martín, currently given to a renowned writer every year.