AVELLANEDA, GERTRUDIS GOMEZ DE 1873), Spanish dramatist and poet, was born at Puerto Principe (Cuba) and removed in 1836 to Spain, where she published her first poems (1839) under the pseudonym of "La Peregrina." Her novels, such as Sab (1839) and Guatimozin (1846) are of no great importance. She obtained, however, a series of successes on the stage with Alfonso Munio (1844), a tragedy in the new romantic manner; with Said (1849), a biblical drama; and with Baltasar (1858). La Avellaneda has a grandiose tragical vision of life, a vigorous eloquence rooted in pietistic pessimism, a dramatic gift effective in isolated acts or scenes; but she is deficient in construc tive power and in intellectual force, and her lyrics, though instinct with melancholy beauty, or the tenderness of resigned devotion, too often lack human passion and sympathy.