Who was Sor Juana? Why was she an unusual person both in South America and in old Spain?

Sor Juana was a philosopher who attempted to reconcile poetry with science. Her long poem, "First Dream" is the best example of that attempt. She wrote some important material, but after the revolts of 1692, all intellectualism was stifled. She was forced to renounce her books, and died shortly after that. Her life was unusual in part, because she was an influential female philosopher in the 17th Century. More importantly, she was one of the few philosophers whom Mexico has ever known. Her powerful thinking was also unusual at the time because nothing of its type was being encouraged in the traditional, rather timid universities in Spain. In this manner, her thoughts and writings are highly important to understanding South America philosophy.