Altstadt in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg, Germany — Central Europe
Sophie Friederike Mereau
Photographed by James Hulse, February 19, 2026
1. Sophie Friederike Mereau Marker
An etwa dieser Stelle stand das Haus, in dem Sophie Friederike Mereau (27.3.1770–31.10.1806) ab 1804 wohnte, gemeinsam mit ihrem Ehemann Clemens Brentano. Hier starb sie im Kindbett bei der Geburt ihres sechsten Kindes. Sie war die erste hauptberufliche, freie Schriftstellerin in Deutschland. Ihre Romane handeln von damals neuen Zeitthemen wie Selbstbestimmung der Frau und Emanzipation. Friedrich Schiller war ihr Mentor und Förderer; in „Thalia“ und den „Horen“ publizierte er ihre ersten Arbeiten. Ihre Naturgedichte wurden u.a. von Ludwig van Beethoven, Johann Friedrich Reichardt und Carl Friedrich Zelter vertont.
Approximately on this site stood the house in which Sophie Friederike Mereau (March 27, 1770–October 31, 1806) lived from 1804 onward together with her husband Clemens Brentano. She died here in childbirth while giving birth to her sixth child. She was the first professional independent female writer in Germany. Her novels addressed then-new contemporary themes such as women’s self-determination and emancipation. Friedrich
this page online
Erected 2021 by Stadt Heidelberg. (Marker Number 706.)
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Women. A significant historical month for this entry is March 1770.
Location. 49° 24.646′ N, 8° 42.353′ E. Marker is in Heidelberg, Baden-Württemberg. It is in Altstadt. It is on Grabengasse just south of Merianstraße, on the right when traveling south. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Grabengasse 14, Heidelberg BW 69117, Germany. Touch for directions.
Regionally, it is in Europe, the European Union, Atlantic Europe, Central Europe, the Schengen Area, Western Europe, and the Western World. Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Dr. José Rizal (here, next to this marker); Nationalsozialisten Bücherverbrennung / National Socialist Book Burning (within shouting distance of this marker); Alte Universität / Old University (within shouting distance of this marker); Magnus Hirschfeld (within shouting distance of this marker); Karl Bernhard Stark (within shouting distance of this marker); Karl Gottfried Nadler (within shouting distance of this marker); Das Mittelor / The Middle Gate (about 90 meters away,
Photographed by James Hulse, February 19, 2026
2. Sophie Friederike Mereau Marker
The marker is located on the column in between the glass windows.
Also see . . . Sophie Mereau. Wikipedia
Mereau was born as Sophie Friederike Schubart on 27 March 1770 in Altenburg. Mereau learned Spanish, French, English, and Italian at a young age. Her mother died when Mereau was 16, and her father died when she was 20. On 4 April 1793 she married Karl Mereau, moving to Jena where he was a lawyer. Through her husband she met Friedrich Schiller, who considered Mereau to be somewhat of a protégé. By 1794 she took her first lover. In 1795 she traveled with another lover to Berlin, shocking many in Jena high society. Mereau had two children with Karl, Gustav and Hulda. After the death of her first child, Gustav, she divorced Karl Mereau.(Submitted on February 23, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.)
Photographed by James Hulse, February 19, 2026
3. Sophie Friederike Mereau Marker
The view of the marker from across the street.
Credits. This page was last revised on February 23, 2026. It was originally submitted on February 22, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas. This page has been viewed 47 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on February 23, 2026, by James Hulse of Medina, Texas.
