Álvar García de Santa María
Spanish historian and Roman Catholic convert
Álvar García de Santa María was a Spanish historian who lived during the late Middle Ages. Born in 1370 to a prominent Jewish family in Castile, his early life was marked by a significant religious transformation. In 1390, he converted to Roman Catholicism, a decision that coincided with the evangelization efforts of St. Vincent Ferrer, who was actively working to convert the Jewish community at the time.
As a historian, Álvar García de Santa María's work was likely influenced by his unique background and experiences. His conversion to Catholicism was not an isolated event within his family, as his brother Pablo de Santa María and nephew Alphonso de Cartagena also converted and went on to hold prominent positions within the Church. Pablo became the Bishop of Burgos, while Alphonso de Cartagena followed a similar path, highlighting the complex and evolving religious landscape of medieval Spain.