Sophie von La Roche: A life between the Enlightenment and the world of men in Kaufbeuren

Sophie von La Roche: A life between the Enlightenment and the world of men in Kaufbeuren

On July 19, 2025, an exciting conference entitled “Sophie von La Roche and the men who shaped her” took place at the “Goldener Hirsch” hotel in Kaufbeuren. Organized by the Friends of Sophie La Roche, everything revolved around the important woman who is considered Germany's first professional writer. Mayor Stefan Bosse opened the event with a greeting, followed by the introductory words of chairwoman Helga Ilgenfritz. The speakers highlighted various facets of Sophie's life and the relationships that shaped her, thereby providing interesting insights into her biography.

A central point of the conference was the lecture by doctoral student Markus Wölfl from the University of Augsburg, who spoke about her father, the city physicist Dr. Georg Friedrich Gutermann, spoke. He had not only drawn up essential midwifery regulations, but also promoted his daughter's education. However, he was also known for forcing Sophie to break off her engagement to Giovanni Ludovico Bianconi, which had a lasting impact on her life. Dr. Annalisa Russo gave an equally insightful talk about Bianconi and his influence on Sophie.

A literary legacy

The presentations also referred to Christoph Martin Wieland, Sophie's childhood friend and literary supporter, who published her first publication, the “History of Miss von Sternheim”. Dr. Egon Freitag, a former Wieland speaker, clarified the role Wieland played not only in her literary career but also in her personal life. He also explained Sophie's mentor, Count Friedrich von Stadion, and her marriage to Georg Michael Frank von La Roche, the count's illegitimate son, who rose to become minister and chancellor to the Prince-Archbishop of Trier.

After her husband's political downfall, Sophie von La Roche was forced to secure her living as the first professional writer in the German language. This was a challenge, but one she overcame. She showed her literary talent not only in her best-known work, “History of the Fräulein von Sternheim”, but also in the magazine “Pomona for Teutschland's Daughters”, which she founded in 1783 and which was committed to the education of women.

A life for women's education

Marie Sophie von La Roche was born on December 6, 1730 in Kaufbeuren and died on February 18, 1807. She spent her childhood in Augsburg and served as a lady-in-waiting before entering the literary circle. During her time as a lady-in-waiting at Warthausen Castle, she took the opportunity to study an extensive library, which ultimately helped her complete her novels. Her work reflects the Enlightenment and sensitivity of the 18th century and has a great influence on German literature and the growing role of women in society.

Sophie's commitment to educating female readers was not only recognized in Germany - her subscribers to the journal "Pomona" even included Catherine the Great of Russia. This forum for women of that time is a symbol of Sophie's progressive ideas, which are still relevant today.

The conference in Kaufbeuren was not only a tribute to an extraordinary woman, but also a reminder of how important it is to make women's stories visible in literature and history. Their experiences and their literary work leave a physical footprint in German literary history that continues to be discovered and appreciated.