Charlotte Schimmelmann
Encyclopedia
Magdalene Charlotte Hedevig Schimmelmann (10 August 1757 – 2 December 1816) was a Danish noble woman and salon
ist.
Carl Rudolph Schubart (1714–59) and Inger Løvenskiold (1732–1808). On the 25th May 1782, she married the statesman Count Ernst Heinrich won Schimmelan (1747–1831). After the coup d'état against Ove Høegh-Guldberg
in 1784, he became Minister of Finance until 1813 and later Prime Minister.
Her salon was organized according to the French pattern and was renowned abroad. The latest developments in science
, politics and culture
were discussed. She considered it a profession to be a salonist. Her salon gathered philosophers and politician
s, and played a part in the country's political scene. It was inspired by a form of "aristocratic humanism
", and by the ideas of the French revolution
in 1789.
Her husband opened school
s, which she protected, and argued for the abolition of slavery
, even though they owned plantation
s in the Danish West Indies. The Schimmelmann family had became the richest family in Denmark in the 18th century largely due to the sugar trade with the West Indies. Until 1807, her political circle of ministers earned money by trading with countries involved in the Napoleonic wars
, which made her salon considered to be a center of political corruption
, which made it unfashionable.
Salon (gathering)
A salon is a gathering of people under the roof of an inspiring host, held partly to amuse one another and partly to refine taste and increase their knowledge of the participants through conversation. These gatherings often consciously followed Horace's definition of the aims of poetry, "either to...
ist.
Biography
Magdalene Charlotte Schubart was born at Fossum in Skien, Norway to LieutenantLieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
Carl Rudolph Schubart (1714–59) and Inger Løvenskiold (1732–1808). On the 25th May 1782, she married the statesman Count Ernst Heinrich won Schimmelan (1747–1831). After the coup d'état against Ove Høegh-Guldberg
Ove Høegh-Guldberg
Ove Høegh-Guldberg was a Danish statesman, historian and de facto prime minister of Denmark, 1772–1784.-Biography:...
in 1784, he became Minister of Finance until 1813 and later Prime Minister.
Her salon was organized according to the French pattern and was renowned abroad. The latest developments in science
Science
Science is a systematic enterprise that builds and organizes knowledge in the form of testable explanations and predictions about the universe...
, politics and culture
Culture
Culture is a term that has many different inter-related meanings. For example, in 1952, Alfred Kroeber and Clyde Kluckhohn compiled a list of 164 definitions of "culture" in Culture: A Critical Review of Concepts and Definitions...
were discussed. She considered it a profession to be a salonist. Her salon gathered philosophers and politician
Politician
A politician, political leader, or political figure is an individual who is involved in influencing public policy and decision making...
s, and played a part in the country's political scene. It was inspired by a form of "aristocratic humanism
Humanism
Humanism is an approach in study, philosophy, world view or practice that focuses on human values and concerns. In philosophy and social science, humanism is a perspective which affirms some notion of human nature, and is contrasted with anti-humanism....
", and by the ideas of the French revolution
French Revolution
The French Revolution , sometimes distinguished as the 'Great French Revolution' , was a period of radical social and political upheaval in France and Europe. The absolute monarchy that had ruled France for centuries collapsed in three years...
in 1789.
Her husband opened school
School
A school is an institution designed for the teaching of students under the direction of teachers. Most countries have systems of formal education, which is commonly compulsory. In these systems, students progress through a series of schools...
s, which she protected, and argued for the abolition of slavery
Slavery
Slavery is a system under which people are treated as property to be bought and sold, and are forced to work. Slaves can be held against their will from the time of their capture, purchase or birth, and deprived of the right to leave, to refuse to work, or to demand compensation...
, even though they owned plantation
Plantation
A plantation is a long artificially established forest, farm or estate, where crops are grown for sale, often in distant markets rather than for local on-site consumption...
s in the Danish West Indies. The Schimmelmann family had became the richest family in Denmark in the 18th century largely due to the sugar trade with the West Indies. Until 1807, her political circle of ministers earned money by trading with countries involved in the Napoleonic wars
Napoleonic Wars
The Napoleonic Wars were a series of wars declared against Napoleon's French Empire by opposing coalitions that ran from 1803 to 1815. As a continuation of the wars sparked by the French Revolution of 1789, they revolutionised European armies and played out on an unprecedented scale, mainly due to...
, which made her salon considered to be a center of political corruption
Political corruption
Political corruption is the use of legislated powers by government officials for illegitimate private gain. Misuse of government power for other purposes, such as repression of political opponents and general police brutality, is not considered political corruption. Neither are illegal acts by...
, which made it unfashionable.
External links
- Blandt digtere og skydebrødre, article in Danish