Alonso Chirino
Alonso Chirino · Science & Medicine
Royal physician to Henry III and John II of Castile, author of the first medical treatises written in Castilian
vers 1365, Cuenca, Castille (Espagne) — 1429, Medinaceli, Castille (Espagne)
Cuenca, cour de Castille
Alonso Chirino is recognized among Jewish contributors to Science & Medicine — Royal physician to Henry III and John II of Castile, author of the first medical treatises written in Castilian
Origins and early life
Alonso Chirino was born around 1365 in Cuenca, in Castile.
Work and career
His converso origin — a family of Jews converted to Christianity — is documented: the historian José Simón Díaz established it from archival records in 1944, and later academic work has confirmed the judeoconverso origins of the Chirino family of Cuenca, though the sources do not detail the exact generation of the conversion, and this fiche says so plainly. He rose to the summit of his profession as physician to two kings of Castile, Henry III and John II, and held the office of examiner of physicians of the realm.
His lasting contribution lies in his books: the Menor daño de la medicina, the Lesser Harm of Medicine, and the Espejo de medicina, the Mirror of Medicine, are among the very first medical treatises written in Castilian rather than Latin — medicine deliberately opened to readers beyond the learned elite. He was also the father of the chronicler and diplomat Diego de Valera. He died in 1429 at Medinaceli.
Verify and go deeper with these external references.
Source: https://www.cervantesvirtual.com/obra/alonso-chirino-medico-de-juan-ii-y-padre-de-mosen-diego-de-valera-977412
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Royal physician to Henry III and John II of Castile, author of the first medical treatises written in Castilian
Source: https://www.cervantesvirtual.com/obra/alonso-chirino-medico-de-juan-ii-y-padre-de-mosen-diego-de-valera-977412
