The Encyclopedia Americana (1920)/Stein, Charlotte von

STEIN, stīn, Charlotte von, German writer, friend of Goethe (q.v.): b. Weimar, 25 Dec. 1742; d. there, 6 Jan. 1827. She was married in 1764 to the duke's master of the horse. Her friendship with Goethe was broken suddenly after his return from Italy (1788). Goethe's ‘Letters’ to her were first published in 1848-51, edited by Schott. Their almost perfect friendship for 10 years is believed to have profoundly assisted Goethe in his work. A final collection was printed by the Goethe Society in 1886. She wrote a tragedy ‘Dido’ (1867; ed. by Duntzer). Consult the ‘Life’ by Duntzer (1874).