Charlotte von Stein

Charlotte von Stein (December 25, 1742 - January 6, 1827) was a lady-in-waiting in Weimar and a close friend to both Friedrich Schiller and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe whose work and life was strongly influenced by her.

Her Childhood

Charlotta Ernestina Bernadina von Stein was born as ?von Schardt? in Eisenach on December 25, 1742. Her parents were Hofmarschall Johann Wilhelm Christian von Schardt and Concordia Elisabeth von Schardt. While her father was a wasteful eccentric, her mother who had had Scottish ancestors was said to be very quiet and dutiful.

Related Topics:
Eisenach - December 25 - 1742

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Her Parents moved to Weimar when Charlotte was yet a little child. Early Charlotte von Stein was prepared for working as a lady-in-waiting. Her education included literature, art, singing and dancing. They said that Charlotte was unobtrusive, witty, graceful and dutiful like her mother was. There are four things she spent most of her time on:

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• Society (according to her ?profession?)
• Taking cures (she had a weak constitution)
• Literature/Theater/Art (as a part of her social life; her own tries were not that good)
• Animals (she had various, e.g. cats, dogs and doves)