A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Schurman, Anna Maria
SCHURMAN, ANNA MARIA,
A most extraordinary German lady, was the daughter of parents who were both descended from noble Protestant families, and was born at Cologne in 1607. At six years of age she could cut with her scissors all kinds of figures out of paper, without any model; and at eight, she learned in a few days to draw flowers admirably; two years after, she was but three hours in learning to embroider. Afterwards, she was taught vocal and instrumental music, painting, sculpture, and engraving; and succeeded equally well in all these arts. Her handwriting in all languages was inimitable; and some curious persons have preserved specimens of it in their cabinets. She painted her own portrait, and made artificial pearls so like natural ones, that they could be distinguished only by pricking with a needle.
The powers of her understanding were not inferior to her dexterity; for, at eleven, when her brothers were examined in their Latin, she often prompted them in whispers, though she had only heard them say their lessons en passant. Her father, observing this, applied himself to the cultivation of her mind; and the Latin, Greek, and Hebrew languages became so familiar to her, that she not only wrote but spoke them in a manner which surprised the most learned men. She made great progress also in several Oriental languages, as the Syriac, Chaldee, Arabic, and Ethiopic; she also understood, and spoke readily, French, English, and Italian. She was well versed in geography, astronomy, philosophy, and the sciences; but, not satisfied with these acquisitions, she turned her attention to the study of theology, and became very religious.
Her father had settled at Utrecht when she was an infant; and afterwards removed to Francker for the more convenient education of his children, where he died in 1623. His widow then return to Utrecht, where Anna Maria continued her studies. Her devotion to her intellectual and religious cultivation undoubtedly prevented her marrying; as Mr. Cats, a celebrated poet, and several others, proposed to her. Her modesty, which equalled her acquirements, made her shrink from notoriety; but Rivetus, Spanheim, and Vossius brought her into notice contrary to her own inclination. Salmasius, Beverovicius, and Huygens, also maintained a literary correspondence with her; and by shewing her letters, spread her fame into foreign countries. At last she became so celebrated that persons of the highest rank visited her; and Cardinal Richelieu showed her marks of esteem.
About 1650, she made a great alteration in her religious system. She no longer attended church, but performed her devotions in private, and attached herself to Labadie, the famous religions enthusiast, accompanying him wherever he went. She lived some time with him at Altena, in Holsteln; and after his death, in 1677. she retired to Wivert, in Friesland, where William Penn visited her. She died there in 1678.
She wrote "De Vitas Humanæ Termino;" "Dissertatio de ingenil muliebris ad doctrinam et meliores literas aptitudine." These two essays, with letters in French, Greek, Latin, and Hebrew, to her learned correspondents, were printed in 1648. She wrote afterwards, "Eukleria, seu melioris partis electio." This is a defence of her attachment to Labadie. She chose for her device the words of St. Ignatius, "Amor meus crucifixus est." "My love is crucified."