Rahel Varnhagen

Laura Deiulio (Christopher Newport University)
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Many scholars consider Rahel Levin Varnhagen to be the most interesting German woman intellectual prior to 1900. During the German Romantic period, she maintained contacts with most of the leading figures of her day. The gatherings she hosted in her home, particularly prior to the French occupation of Berlin in 1806 and again in the 1820s, became a well-known feature of the Berlin intellectual scene. In addition, she wrote thousands of letters that offer a wealth of cultural insights. Her comments on literature, philosophy, history, education, the theater and women’s rights, among many other topics, are not only a rich source for social historians but also possess considerable literary and philosophical value.

Rahel published excerpts from her letters during her lifetime, and more of

1577 words

Citation: Deiulio, Laura. "Rahel Varnhagen". The Literary Encyclopedia. First published 22 February 2010 [https://www.litencyc.com/php/speople.php?rec=true&UID=12409, accessed 29 March 2024.]

12409 Rahel Varnhagen 1 Historical context notes are intended to give basic and preliminary information on a topic. In some cases they will be expanded into longer entries as the Literary Encyclopedia evolves.

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