La Belle Anglaise

The Lutheran Duchess Luise Dorothea, born in Sachsen-Meiningen (1710-1767), had a significant impact on the court and political-cultural life in 18th century Gotha. She belongs to a group of princesses who actively shaped the Early Modern period on cultural and political levels through writing pedagogical texts, being members of societies, and as theologically-philosophically-aesthetically interested networkers. The impact of these princesses on contemporary politics and society is evident in their book collections. This is especially true for Luise Dorothea, whose private library of around 3,500 works represents one of the most extensive private collections at the Gotha court. Given her love of all things French and her intense (correspondence) contacts with Voltaire, her collection was perceived as "French". Notably, amidst the predominantly French-language prints, there are roughly 100 'English' male authors and some female authors, as well as a multitude of publications with English, Scottish, Irish, American, or Indian references. These include not only works of moral philosophy but also publications from all fields of the so-called fine sciences and liberal arts. In addition to the Duchess's favoured literature, there are also magazines, dictionaries, uplifting literature, state politics, history, natural science, and travel literature available.