Collier's New Encyclopedia (1921)/Stein, Charlotte von

STEIN (stīn), CHARLOTTE VON, the intimate friend of Goethe; born in Weimar, Germany, Dec. 25, 1742; married in 1764 to the duke's master of the horse. Her friendship with Goethe was broken suddenly after the poet's return from Italy (1788). They were, however, in some measure reconciled before Frau von Stein died. Goethe's “Letters” to her were first published in 1848-1851, and again, with additions, in 1883-1885; and another final collection was issued by the German Goethe Society in 1886. The lady's letters to Goethe were destroyed by her shortly before her death. She wrote a tragedy, “Dido.” She died in Weimar Jan. 6, 1827.