Eva Merthen (1723–15 October 1811), known as "The Duchess of Finland", was a Finnish woman known for her relationship with the General James Keith during the Russian occupation of the Swedish province of Finland during the Russo-Swedish War (1741–1743). She is the subject of the novel "Hertiginnan av Finland" (1850) by Zacharias Topelius.[1]
Lifeedit
Merthen was the daughter of the mayor of Åbo, Karl Merthen. She made the acquaintance of Keith, who was the leader of the Russian forces who captured Åbo in 1742, at the receptions arranged by the Russian officers and where she made a success as a well-educated, charming beauty. During the occupation, Keith was given authority to manage the occupation as he wished, and Merthen is considered to have influenced his rule and by her influence making the policy toward civilians mild during the Russian occupation.[2]
Her father died shortly before the peace in 1743, and when Keith left Finland, she followed him. They were never technically married, but she was treated by Keith as well as by society as his official and legal spouse, especially after he joined Prussian service. After the death of Keith in 1758, she married in 1760 to the politician Johann David von Reichenbach (1732–1807) in Stralsund.
Referencesedit
^Matti Klinge. "Merthen, Eva (1723 - 1811)". National Biography of Finland. Finnish Literary Society. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
^Matti Klinge. "Merthen, Eva (1723 - 1811)". National Biography of Finland. Finnish Literary Society. Retrieved 2010-09-27.
merthen, 1723, october, 1811, known, duchess, finland, finnish, woman, known, relationship, with, general, james, keith, during, russian, occupation, swedish, province, finland, during, russo, swedish, 1741, 1743, subject, novel, hertiginnan, finland, 1850, za. Eva Merthen 1723 15 October 1811 known as The Duchess of Finland was a Finnish woman known for her relationship with the General James Keith during the Russian occupation of the Swedish province of Finland during the Russo Swedish War 1741 1743 She is the subject of the novel Hertiginnan av Finland 1850 by Zacharias Topelius 1 Life editMerthen was the daughter of the mayor of Abo Karl Merthen She made the acquaintance of Keith who was the leader of the Russian forces who captured Abo in 1742 at the receptions arranged by the Russian officers and where she made a success as a well educated charming beauty During the occupation Keith was given authority to manage the occupation as he wished and Merthen is considered to have influenced his rule and by her influence making the policy toward civilians mild during the Russian occupation 2 Her father died shortly before the peace in 1743 and when Keith left Finland she followed him They were never technically married but she was treated by Keith as well as by society as his official and legal spouse especially after he joined Prussian service After the death of Keith in 1758 she married in 1760 to the politician Johann David von Reichenbach 1732 1807 in Stralsund References edit Matti Klinge Merthen Eva 1723 1811 National Biography of Finland Finnish Literary Society Retrieved 2010 09 27 Matti Klinge Merthen Eva 1723 1811 National Biography of Finland Finnish Literary Society Retrieved 2010 09 27 Matti Klinge Merthen Eva 1723 1811 National Biography of Finland Finnish Literary Society Retrieved 2010 09 27 Retrieved from https en wikipedia org w index php title Eva Merthen amp oldid 954387168, wikipedia, wiki, book, books, library,
