Bölte, Amely

Writer

born: 06.10.1811 in Rhena (Mecklenburg)

died: 15.11.1891 in Wiesbaden

Bölte was the daughter of Amalie Louise (née Tarnow) and Johann Christoph Bölte She had twelve siblings. In keeping with her status, she and her sisters were educated by a governess. Her aunt, the writer Fanny Tarnow, also had a strong influence on her education. Her father engaged her at the age of 15 "so that she would not become a learned woman like her aunt". After his death in 1827, Bölte broke off the engagement and from then on provided for her own livelihood.

She initially worked as a governess, before moving to England in 1839, where she worked as a governess and translator of novels. She maintained her contacts with Germany through lively correspondence and visits. Through Karl August Varnhagen von Ense, she became the English correspondent of the "Cottaer Morgenblatt". Her first novel "Louise" was published in 1846. With the support of her aunt, she published "Erzählungen aus der Mappe einer Deutschen in London" in 1848. Bölte returned to Germany in 1851. From 1846-79, she published around 25 books and countless articles.

Even though Bölte did not write primarily to emancipate herself, she wanted her writing to contribute to improving the social and economic position of women in society. She actively campaigned for socio-political change, particularly for better education and training for women and the creation of jobs for middle-class women. She supported the General German Women's Association (ADF). In 1865, she founded the "Bazar für Beamtentöchter" in Dresden, which she organized until 1867. In 1878 or 1879, Bölte moved to Wiesbaden and lived at Taunusstraße 5. Bölte took a stand against alcoholism and prostitution and was involved in the "Verein gegen Branntweingenuß und für Volkskaffeehäuser". Her last novel "Die Gefallene" was published in 1882. Its central theme is prostitution, which arose out of necessity. She dedicated this novel to the British feminist Josefine Butler.

Bölte was one of the few female writers of her time to make a fortune. In her will, she stipulated that her fortune of 153,677 gold marks should go to the city of Wiesbaden after the death of her sister Fanny Bölte in order to set up the Amely Bölte Foundation. Her grave is located in the North Cemetery.

Behrens, Antje; Fischer, Walther (ed.): Amely Bölte's letters from England to Varnhagen von Ense (1844-1858), Düsseldorf 1955.

Klein, Beatrixe: Seven Women - Seven Lives - Seven Stories. A book for Wiesbaden, Wiesbaden 2005.