Gertrud von Le Fort
Gertrud von Le Fort was a prominent German poet and novelist, born on October 11, 1876, in Minden, Germany. She came from an upper-class family and received a robust education, studying at prestigious universities, including Heidelberg, Berlin, and Marburg. Her intellectual journey was marked by her engagement with leading theologians of her time, culminating in her conversion to Catholicism in 1926. Le Fort's literary work often grappled with spiritual dilemmas, reflecting her Catholic faith and addressing themes of self-sacrifice, particularly in the context of women's roles.
Her notable works include the poetry collections "Hymnen an Deutschland" and "Hymnen an die Kirche," which established her reputation as a significant literary figure. Among her novels, "Das Schweisstuch der Veronika" stands out, exploring the intersection of personal faith and familial relationships against the backdrop of the church. Le Fort was also a vocal critic of the Nazi regime, which led to her being removed from the list of publishable authors in Germany in 1938. Throughout her career, she received numerous awards for her contributions to literature, making her a respected figure in German literary circles until her death on November 1, 1971.
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Gertrud von Le Fort
Author
- Born: October 11, 1876
- Birthplace: Minden, Germany
- Died: November 1, 1971
- Place of death: Obertstdorf, Germany
Biography
Gertrud von Le Fort was born October 11, 1876, in Minden, Germany, to Major Lothar Friedrich Franz Peter, Baron von Le Fort and Elsbeth Karoline Therese von Wedel-Parlow. She was the oldest of three children. The family was transferred to Berlin when Le Fort was four years old. In 1888, her father retired from the military and the Le Forts moved to Hildesheim, where Gertrud and her siblings attended public school. The Le Forts enjoyed an upper-class lifestyle and spent their summers vacationing at various family estates throughout Mecklenburg.
In 1908, Le Fort enrolled at the University of Heidelberg and became enthralled by the progressive theologian Ernst Troeltsch. She continued her education at universities in Berlin and Marburg from 1910 to 1914. In 1914, she attended lectures at Heidelberg and became associated with the George Circle, which would prove an influential experience in her life. She continued to immerse herself in relationships with the most prominent Catholic and Jesuit theologians of the era. In 1926, Le Fort converted to Catholicism at the Maria dell’ Anima Church while on hiatus in Rome.
Le Fort’s first published collections of poetry, Hymnen an Deutschland (hymns to Germany) and Hymnen an die Kirche (hymns to the Church), quickly established her as a poet and scholar. The first glorifies Germany and its future and has been criticized for being akin to Nazi propaganda; the second celebrates the liturgical year, religious ceremonies, prayers, and hymns in a lyrical psalmodic verse.
Her novels frequently dealt with spiritual dilemmas, the role of Catholicism in modern society, and self-sacrificing women. Le Fort’s best known novel, Das Schweisstuch der Veronika (the veil of Veronica), explores one family’s personal relationships and their relationship with the church. When the protagonist Veronica converts to Catholicism, her aunt tries killing her with a cross. The novel is followed by Der Kranz der Engel (the wreath of angels), which revisits Veronica when she suffers expulsion from the church after agreeing to marry a man who is against religion. When she has a fatal breakdown, her husband steps aside and allows her to accept the sacraments.
Le Fort criticized Adolf Hitler and the Nazis through historical fiction novels such as Die Magdeburgische Hochzeit (the wedding in Magdeburg), which showed the evil and ugliness one human could show toward another. These publications removed her from the publishable authors list in Germany in 1938 but did not end her writing career. Gertrud von Le Fort died November 1, 1971, in Oberstdorf, Federal Republic of Germany.
Le Fort received the Munich Literature Prize, 1947; Annette von Droste-Huelshoff Prize, 1948; Gottfried Keller Prize (Switzerland), 1952; Great Service Cross (Federal Republic of Germany), 1953; Grosser Preis des Landes Nordrhein-Westfalen für Literatur, 1955; an honorary doctorate of theology from the University of Munich, 1956; Bayrischer Verdienstorden, 1959; Stern zum grossen Verdienstorden, 1959; and Kultureller Ehrenpreis der Stadt München, 1969. Gertrud von Le Fort’s usage of historical settings, and her commitment to theology and her country, made her a beloved author in German literary circles.