María Santos Corrales (November 1, 1797 – March 7, 1881) was the inspiration of Peru's famous poet and patriot soldier, Mariano Melgar; she is forever immortalized as "Silvia" in his poetry.
María Santos Corrales was born on November 1, 1797 (All Saint's Day) in Arequipa, Peru.
María Santos and Mariano Melgar knew each other due to their kinship – their fathers were first cousins.
Only 14 years old at the time, María Santos rejected any romantic advances by Mariano Melgar (who was 21).
On November 24, 1819, María Santos Corrales married a veteran of the Battle of Umachiri and soldier in arms of Mariano Melgar – Dr. and Col. Manuel Amat y León.