A Cyclopaedia of Female Biography/Staël, Anne Louise Germain, Madame de
STAEL, ANNE LOUISE GERMAIN, MADAME DE,
Was born, April 22nd., 1766, at Paris. She was the daughter of the well-known French financier, Necker. Her parents being protestants, instead of receiving her education, like most young ladles of the period, in the seclusion of a convent, she was reared at home, and allowed to mingle freely with the talented guests who assembled in her mother's drawing-room. Already a precocious child, this produced in her a premature development of intellect. Some of the gravest men who visited Madame Necker, when her daughter had scarcely emerged from childhood, discerned her intellectual power, and found pleasure in conversing with her; the acuteness of her judgment already revealing what she would one day become. From her mother she imbibed a strong religious feeling, which never abandoned her; Necker imparted to her his ambitious love of political popularity; and the society in which she was brought up strengthened her passion for literature, and fed the burning flame of her genius. Her life and writings bear deep traces of these three powerful principles. As a talker she has never perhaps been surpassed. Clear, comprehensive, and vigorous, like that of man, her language was also full of womanly passion and tenderness. Her affection for her father was enthusiastic, and her respect for him bordered upon veneration. The closest and most unreserved friendship marked their intercourse through life. Mademoiselle Necker was heir to immense wealth; and at the age of twenty, through the interposition of Marie Antoinette, a marriage was brought about between her and the Baron de Staël Holstein, then Swedish ambassador at the court of France. M. de Staël was young, handsome, and cultivated; he had no fortune, but he was a Lutheran; and as M. Necker had no inclination to see his fortune pass into the hands of a catholic, his consent was easily obtained.
Neither the disposition or situation of Madame de Staël would allow her to remain indifferent to the general agitation which prevailed in France. Enthusiastic in her love of liberty, she gave all the weight of her influence to the cause. Her other's banishment in 1787, and his triumphant return in 1788, deeply affected her; and when he was obliged to retire from public life, it was a source of deep grief and disappointment to her. During Robespierre's ascendency, she exerted herself, at the hazard of her life, to save his victims, and she published a powerful and eloquent defence of the queen. On the 2nd. of September, when the tocsin called the populace to riot and murder, she fled from Paris, with great difficulty, and took refuge with her father, at Coppet. When Sweden recognised the French republic, she returned to Paris with her husband, who was again appointed Swedish ambassador. Her influence, social, literary, and political, was widely extended. On Talleyrand's return from America, in 1796, she obtained, through Barras, his appointment to the ministry of foreign affairs. To this period also belongs two political pamphlets, containing her views respecting the situation of France in 1795, which express the remarkable opinion that France could arrive at limited monarchy only through military despotism.
In 1798, M. de Staël died; her connexion with her husband had not been a happy one. When she became desirous of saving her children's property from the effect of his lavish expenditure, a separation took place; but when his infirmities required the kind offices of friends, she returned to him, and was with him when he died.
Madame de Staël first saw Napoleon in 1797. His brilliant reputation excited her admiration, but this sentiment soon gave way to fear and aversion; her opposition offended Napoleon, and she was banished from Paris. She resided with her father at Coppet, where she devoted herself to literature. After the death of her father, in 1803, she visited Italy and Germany; which visits produced her two most remarkable works, "Corinne," and "Germany." The latter, when printed in Paris, was seized and destroyed by the minister of police; and her exile from Paris was extended to banishment from France. During her residence on her father's estate, Madame de Staël contracted a marriage with a young officer, in delicate health, by the name of de Rocca, which continued a secret till her death. Notwithstanding she was twice the age of her husband, this marriage was very happy. M. de Rocca loved her with romantic enthusiasm; and she realized, in his affection, some of the dreams of her youth. He survived her only six months. Banished from France, Madame de Staël wandered over Europe; her sufferings she has embodied in her "Ten Years of Exile." In 1814 she returned to Paris, and was treated with great distinction by the allied princes. On the return of Napoleon from Elba, she retired to Coppet. It is said that he invited her to return to Paris, and that she refused to do so. After the restoration, she received from the government two millions of francs; the sum which her father had left in the royal treasury. Surrounded by a happy domestic circle, esteemed and courted by the most eminent men in the capital, Madame de Staël resided in Paris till her death, which took place in July, 1817. Madame de Staël has been called the greatest female writer of all ages and countries. She was certainly the most distinguished for talents among the women of her age. Since Rousseau and Voltaire, no French writer has displayed equal power. Her works are numerous—"Corinne," "Delphine," "Germany," "Ten Tears of Exiles" and "Considerations on the French Revolution," are the most noted.