A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Hedwig, Amelia von
HEDWIG, AMELIA VON,
One of the most celebrated German poetesses, was born at Weimar, August 16th., 1776. Her maiden name was Von Imhoff. When only eight, she could speak English and French as readily as her own tongue; and her talent for poetry had already begun to develop itself. When she was twelve she lost her father; and the lady who took charge of her kept her so constantly occupied, that she had no time for writing. She was about fourteen when she went to live at Weimar, where she became acquainted with several of the most celebrated poets of the time. Schiller, happening to see a poem of hers, invited her to his house at Jena, where she became acquainted with Goethe. She was afterwards appointed Lady of the court at Saxe Weimar, where she was married to Lieutenant-General Von Hedwig. Madame Von Hedwig was a poetess of the higher order, one whom Goethe praised for her true Parnassian inspirations. At his request she composed the "Legend of the Three Wise Men of the East," a romance in twelve cantos. She also wrote a number of legends, all displaying great poetic genius; while her lyrics, her patriotic songs, and her idyls, have added many a leaf to her wreath. She was a fertile prose writer, and also translated several works from the Swedish. William Howitt says of this popular author, "Her well-known Saga of the Wolfsbrunnen near Heidelberg, was taken bodily possession of by Grattan, author of 'Highways and Byways,' who lived for some time near the scene of the Saga. His 'Legend of the Wolfsbrunnen' is literally that of Madame Von Hedwig, except that he has inverted her story, putting her first part second, and the second first." Nor is Mr. Grattan the first man who has stolen from the literature of female writers, the plots, ideas, and even whole productions, that have made his best title to fame.