Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg
Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg was a significant figure in 17th-century literature, born in 1633 in Lower Austria to landed aristocracy. Following the death of her father, her education was overseen by her uncle, who introduced her to various languages and literatures. A profound religious influence from her mother was intensified by personal tragedy, particularly the death of her younger sister in 1651, which led to Greiffenberg's first mystical experience and ignited her dedication to spreading God's word through writing. Influenced by notable figures like Martin Luther and the Pietistic movement, she became an active member of the literary society Ister-Clios, adopting "Clio" as her literary name.
In 1662, she published her collection of religious poetry titled Geistliche Sonnette, Lieder, und Gedichte, marking her entry into the literary world. Her life took a significant turn when she married her uncle in 1664 under familial pressure, and they later returned to Seyssenegg. After her husband's death in 1677, Greiffenberg relocated back to Nürnberg, where she continued her literary pursuits, including the publication of several devotion books that provided lyrical interpretations of Biblical stories. She passed away in 1694 in Nürnberg, leaving behind a legacy of spiritual and poetic works.
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Subject Terms
Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg
Author
- Born: September 7, 1633
- Birthplace: Burg Seyssenegg, Austria
- Died: April 8, 1694
- Place of death: Nürnberg, Germany
Biography
Catharina Regina von Greiffenberg was born in 1633 in Burg Seyssenegg in Lower Austria. Her parents belonged to the landed aristocracy. After her father’s death in 1641, her uncle, Hans Rudolph Freiherr von Greiffenberg, assumed responsibility for her education, which included classical and modern languages and literatures. Greiffenberg’s mother exerted a strong religious influence over her, which only deepened on the death of her younger sister in 1651. After her sister’s death, Greiffenberg’s first mystical experience occurred. As a result of this experience, Greiffenberg believed her task from God was to spread his word through creative writing. Writers such as Martin Luther and the Pietistic works served as her main influences. In the late 1650’s, Greiffenberg joined the literary society Ister-Clios; Clio became her literary name.
Her collection Geistliche Sonnette, Lieder, und Gedichte, an assortment of religious songs and poems, was published in 1662. She and her family moved to Nürnberg, Germany, in 1663, and she married her uncle, Hans Rudolph, in 1664, after he placed a great deal of pressure on her. They returned to Seyssenegg in 1666. Greiffenberg’s husband died in 1677, and she moved back to Nürnberg in 1679. In addition to her poetry, she published several andachtsbücher (devotion books), which supplied lyrics to Biblical stories. She died in 1694 in Nürnberg.