Ahlefeld, Charlotte von (1781–1849)

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Ahlefeld, Charlotte von (1781–1849)

German novelist. Name variations: (pseudonyms) Elisa or Elise Selbig, Ernestine, Natalie. Born Charlotte Elisabeth Sophie Louise Wilhelmine von Seebach at Stedten, near Erfurt, Germany, Dec 6, 1781; died at Teplitz, Bohemia, July 27, 1849; dau. of Alexander Christoph August von Seebach and Albertine Wilhelmine (Ingersleben) von Seebach; m. Count Johann Rudolph von Ahlefeld, 1798 (div. 1807); children: 2.

Grew up in Weimar and published her 1st novel, Liebe und Trennung, at 16; author of over 50 popular novels, travel narratives, and poetry collections; works include Louise und Meiland (1803), Therese (1805), Melanie, das Findelkind (1805), Die Kokette (1810), Der Mohrenknabe (1821), Die Frau von 40 Jahren (1829), and Der Stab der Pflicht (1832).