Stein, Charlotte von |
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BORN 25 Dec 1742, Eisenach, Thüringen - DIED 6 Jan 1827, Weimar, Thüringen BIRTH NAME Schardt, Charlotte Ernestina Bernadina von GRAVE LOCATION Weimar, Thüringen: Historischer Friedhof, Poseckscher Garten (western wall) |
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Daughter of the Hofmarschall (master of the ceremonies) at the court in Weimar. She was educated to be a lady in waiting and learned art, singing and dancing. In 1758 she became lady in waiting to Anna Amalia, the Duchess of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach. She held this position until Anna's death in 1807. In 1864 she married Baron Gottlob Ernst Josias Friedrich Freiherr von Stein (1735-1793). It wasn't a love match and her husband often travelled. They had seven children between 1764 and 1773. In 1774 she met Goethe in Weimar. They became very close friends and Goethe wrote her love letters. It's not certain that they had a physical relationship as well, but they were very close for at least twelve years and she had a huge influence on his life and work. During this time she also befriended Friedrich Schiller. In 1786 her friendship with Goethe ended after Goethe left for Italy without telling her. After his return he started a relationship with the young Christiane Vulpius. In 1793 she was widowed and in 1794 she wrote the drama "Dido", about her years in Weimar between 1770 and 1790. It wasn't until 1800 before relations between her and Goethe normalized, but they never recovered their old friendship. Related persons • was a friend of Goethe, Johann Wolfgang von • was a friend of Lengefeld, Charlotte von • was a friend of Schiller, Friedrich von • helped Schmettau, Friedrich Karl Wilhelm Karl, Graf von |
| Images |
 The grave of Charlotte von Stein at the Friedhof vor dem Frauentor, Weimar. Picture by Androom (04 Mar 2009) |
Sources • Gorys, Erhard, Thüringen, Artemis Reis- en Cultuurgids, Kok Lyra, Kampen, 1996 • Winkler Prins Encyclopedie (editie 1909), 1909 • Charlotte von Stein – Wikipedia |
