Josephine Schneider

Lovise Josephine Schneider (8 September 1820, Nivaagaard — 25 June 1887, Frederiksberg) was a Danish philanthropist and school principal. In 1835, she moved to Vienna where she spent 12 years as the lady's maid of a diplomat's wife. Thereafter she studied in Germany where she took a special interest in social structures, especially homes for children. On returning to Copenhagen in 1860, she provided support and care for the poor. After first looking after children in her own home, she was successful in raising funds for the city's first private orphanage in 1874. It became so successful than a larger building was completed in 1880. At the time of her death, it housed 125 children.

Early life Born in Nivå north of Copenhagen on 8 September 1829, Lovise Josephine Schneider was the daughter of the estate manager Carl Frederik Schneider (c.1781–c.1832) and his wife Ane Christine née Rasmussen (c.1798–1844). After her father's death when she was still very young, she was brought up on the Hellebæk Estate where her grandfather was an administrator. Here she met Baroness Adelaide von Løwenstern, wife of .