| LC control no. | no2014089143 |
|---|---|
| Descriptive conventions | rda |
| Personal name heading | Schmettau, Ferdinande von, 1798-1875 |
| Variant(s) | Von Schmettau, Ferdinande, 1798-1875 |
| Birth date | 17980426 |
| Death date | 18750524 |
| Place of birth | Bartenstein (East Prussia, Germany) |
| Place of death | Bad Kösen (Germany) |
| Field of activity | Patriotism |
| Found in | Ziehlberg, A. von. Ferdinande von Schmettau, 1886: title page (Ferdinande von Schmettau) Deutsche Nationalbibliothek online, June 27, 2014 (access point: Schmettau, Ferdinande von; born 1798 in Bartenstein (East Prussia); died in Bad Kösen; German patriot; promoted in 1863 to honorary ladyship of the Stift Zehdenick) Deutsche Biographie on line, June 27, 2014 (access point: Schmettau, Ferdinande von; noted for her act of patriotism; born Apr. 26, 1798 in Bartenstein in East Prussia, where her father was a major in the 58th Infantry regiment; her father retired in 1811 after being regimental commander in Breslau, and received the domain of Bergel bei Ohlau instead of a pension, to which the family retired to live in straightened circumstance; in 1813 upon the call of the Prussian king Friedrich Wilhelm III to throw off French rule, the older sisters contributed their meager jewelry to help finance the cause of liberation, and Nanni (as Ferdinande was known in the family), having nothing of value to offer, persuaded her father to take her to Breslau, where she let a barber cut off her beautiful blond hair for the sum of 2 thalers, and offered the money to help defray military costs; by chance the secretary of state chancellor prince Hardenberg heard of the incident, and a plan was devised to more profitably use Ferdinande's hair, by having watch- arm- and neck-bands made of it, thereby realizing a profit of 196 thalers, 8 groschen; the story of Ferdinande's sacrifice became wide-spread, encouraging others to contribute more to the cause; on March 17, 1863 (50th anniversary) Ferdinande was invited by general von Wrangel to participate in the festivities, and she enjoyed many distinctions, being named an honorary lady of the Kloster Zehdenick and receiving a stipend; she remained unmarried, being devoted to her family, and died May 24, 1875 in Kösen [now Bad Kösen] in Thüringia) |
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