dissertation entitled "Das Recht auf den Tod" (loosely, "The legal right to die"). The topic was inspired by a friend announcing the intention to commit suicide. A couple of years earlier her family had moved to Berlin when her father accepted an appointment to the German Criminal Law Commission, but the term of his appointment came to an end in 1913 and the Rupps moved back to Stuttgart, which may explain why, despite having spent only her first two semesters at Straßburg before moving on to Leipzig and then Berlin, it was to Straßburg that she returned (relatively close to Stuttgart) to conclude her doctoral studies. (Straßburg had reverted to German control - and spelling - in 1871.) Her doctoral supervisor was Wilhelm van Calker. Elisabeth Rupp was also able to use her time at university to extend her knowledge of the arts, music and literature. Berlin After concluding her university studies she moved to Berlin where she took a paid position, working with a "Social Work Association". At this time she seriously considered becoming an actress, but she was persuaded not to pursue this option. Appearing on the stage would have been considered "unsuitable" for a woman of her class. In 1916, frustrated by her experiences in Berlin, she moved again, this time to Reutlingen where she lived with her grandparents and began to write. Several small volumes of poetry appeared, in which she presented scenarios from the world of nature as a contrast to the social conditions created and desecrated by human actions. Her first volume, appearing in 1916, was entitled "Wiesnelieder" (loosely, "Songs from the fields"). That was followed in 1918 with "Wolke, Wiese, Welt" (loosely, "Clouds, fields, world"). Around this time she had what one source describes as "an encounter with Hermann Hesse". Elsewhere there are indications of a brief affair between the two of them. Her biographer Hermann Bausinger quoted a remark she offered in 1988: "...but did you not know that I was the concubine of Hermann Hesse?". She had, indeed, already described the passion between the two of them in a short story published in 1921 entitled "Malen und Eobar". Rupp and Hesse had a shared interest in Indian philosophies. Argentina and marriage In 1922 the need to explore new horizons prevailed over her recurring tendency to home sickness, as Elisabeth Rupp went to Argentina for a year. She worked as a home-tutor