Ida von Hahn-Hahn

Countess Ida von Hahn-Hahn (; 22 June 1805 – 12 January 1880) was a German author from a wealthy family who lost their fortune because of her father's eccentric spending. She defied convention by living with Adolf von Bystram unmarried for 21 years. Her writings about the German aristocracy were greatly favored by the general public of her time. Ida von Hahn-Hahn often wrote about the tragedies of the soul and was influenced by the French novelist George Sand. She "was an indefatigable campaigner for the emancipation of women" and her writings include many strong female characters.

Biography She was born at Tressow, in the duchy of Mecklenburg-Schwerin. She was the daughter of Count (1782 – 21 May 1857 Altona) of the von Hahn family, who was well known for his enthusiasm for stage productions, upon which he squandered a large portion of his fortune. In his old age, he was obliged to support himself by managing a provincial company and died in poverty.

In 1826, Ida married her wealthy cousin , which gave her the doubled name. With him she had an extremely unhappy life, and in 1829 her husband's irregularities led to a divorce.

In 1847, the author drew upon herself the merciless ridicule of Fanny Lewald, who "attacked her as a self-indulgent aristocrat indifferent to the plight of the poor." which elicited a vigorous reply from Heinrich Abeken, and from several others as well.

In November 1852, she retired into the convent Du Bon Pasteur at Angers, which she however soon left, taking up residence in Mainz as a "layperson in a convent she had co-founded for "fallen" girls." She would die there (at Mainz) in 1880.

Writings For many years, her novels were the most popular works of fiction in aristocratic circles; many of her later publications, however, passed unnoticed as mere religious manifestoes. Ulrich and Gräfin Faustine, both published in 1841, mark the culmination of her power; but Sigismund Forster (1843), Cecil (1844), Sibylle (1846) and Maria Regina (1860) also obtained considerable popularity. For several years, the countess continued to produce novels bearing a certain subjective resemblance to those of George Sand, but less hostile to social institutions, and dealing almost exclusively with aristocratic society.

Gräfin Faustine Gräfin Faustine or Countess Faustine travels to the Orient and ends up in "a cloister to expiate her sins". Countess Faustine is a female Don Joan set in a world of adultery.

Catholic writings After converting to Roman Catholicism, Hahn-Hahn began writing to encourage conversions to the Catholic Church.

Publications Countess von Hahn-Hahn's published works as cited by An Encyclopedia of Continental Women Writers. All publications listed below are in German.

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(reprinted as ) (reprinted as ) Her Protestant works in 21 volumes.

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Her Catholic works in 45 volumes.