GUEVARA, ANTONIO de. — Spanish ecclesiastic and writer, b. at Treceño in 1480 (?), d. at Valladolid in 1545. He was a page to the Infante Don Juan and, upon the death of Isabella the Catholic, entered the Franciscan order, rising to the highest offices within II. Named preacher and chronicler to the Emperor, he accompanied Charles V on the expedition to Tunis and on his journey to Italy. He also served as inquisitor at Toledo and Valencia and worked strenuously for the conversion of the Moriscos. In 1528 he was appointed Bishop of Guadix and in 1537 Bishop of Mondoñedo.
Though of wide but not profound learning, he left in the *Libro Ilunado Relox de Principe* or *Libro aureo del emperador Marco Aurelio* (Valladolid 1529) a manual intended for the moral and political formation of the prince, whose conduct, like that of a clock, should regulate that of the Christian people. G. pretends to translate from a Florentine manuscript, but in reality draws upon Xenophon, Plutarch, Valerius Maximus, Diogenes Laertius, and above all his own courtly experience. The work, inspired by a distinct social and moral outlook, includes imaginary letters of Marcus Aurelius, whose life is sketched in romantic fashion. The *Relox* enjoyed immense success and was soon translated into several languages, exerting a particular influence on the rise of Euphuism in England. In *Menosprecio de corte y alabanza de aldea* (ibid. 1539) G. contrasts country life with court life, giving precedence to the former. Notable are the 85 *Epistolas familiares* (ibid. 1539–41), which vividly depict the author and his milieu. For his conceits and exuberant, ornate style rich in parallelisms, antitheses, and assonances, G. belongs to the pre-Baroque Spanish school. Ascetical in theme are *Monte Calvario* (Salamanca 1542) and *Oratorio de religiosos y exercicio de virtuosos* (Valladolid 1542).