Assing, Ludmilla (1821–1880)

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Assing, Ludmilla (1821–1880)

German writer and journalist. Born at Hamburg, Germany, Feb 22, 1821; died at Florence, Italy, Mar 25, 1880; David Assur Assing (Jewish physician) and Rosa Maria Varnhagen; sister of Ottilie Assing (writer); niece of Karl Varnhagen von Ense and Rahel Varnhagen (1771–1833).

Moved to Berlin to live with uncle (1842), Karl Varnhagen von Ense; edited several works of her uncle as well as several by Alexander von Humboldt; supported the revolution from 1848; wrote articles and books that were published anonymously; became a political exile in Florence where she wrote for leading German newspapers as an Italian correspondent; was imprisoned for libel by Prussian government (1863–64).