Esteban Daza was born and lived in Valladolid. He was from a family of hijosdalgo who lived in apparent comfort during the early part of the sixteenth century but whose fortunes waned as the century progressed. Esteban had a university education and was encouraged to continue and complete a licenciatura which did not come to pass. There is no evidence that he ever worked. His vihuela was published when he was nearly forty. He continued to live with his unmarried siblings until about 1590. From this time he appears to have lived in part of a house owned by his brother Baltasar. The last documented reference to him while alive is from the end of 1590.
These are the principal documented moments in Esteban Daza’s life:
1537/8 - probable birth and baptism at S. Miguel in Valladolid. Records of births are not complete for this period
1558.10.02 - Esteban Daza’s uncle, Francisco de Butrón, bequeaths him his library if he completes a licenciatura in law
1563.05.19 named universal heredero in his father’s will, “Bachiller” but not “licenciado”
1568.12.18 Daza’s uncle revokes his donation of his library because Esteban had not completed a licenciatura
1569.04.09 - Esteban signs to be guardian of his younger brothers and sisters following the death of his father
1576 - El Parnaso is published
1576.01.13 - Esteban signs printing contract with Diego Fernández de Córdoba
1576.04.12 - Printing is completed (colophon of El Parnasso)
1578.05.26 - Family documents naming Esteban
1586.10.09 - Baltasar probably had announced his intention to marry.
1586.12.08 - Renunciation and donation of the estate of Esteban’s uncle Gaspar.
1587.06.03 - More family documents that mention Esteban
1590.12.17 - Last document that mentions Esteban as still alive. Living in three lower rooms in a house rented by Baltasar Daza to Diego Torres, outside the Puerta del Campo, the whole house, except “three lower rooms in which my brother Esteban Daza is living.