Charlotte Albertine Ernestine von Stein (also mentioned as Charlotta Ernestina Bernadina von Stein ), born von Schardt; 25 December 1742, Eisenach – 6 January 1827, Weimar, was a lady-in-waiting at the court in Weimar and a close friend to both Friedrich Schiller and Johann Wolfgang von Goethe, whose work and life were strongly influenced by her. Childhood Charlotte's parents were Hofmarschall Johann Wilhelm Christian von Schardt (1711–1791) and Koncordia Elisabeth Irving of Drum (1724–1802). While her father was a wasteful eccentric, her mother who had had Scottish ancestors was said to be very quiet and dutiful. Her parents moved to Weimar when Charlotte was yet a little child and she was prepared for working as a lady-in-waiting. Her education included literature, art, singing and dancing. They said that Charlotte was unobtrusive, witty, graceful and dutiful like her mother was. There were four things she spent most of her time on: Society (according to her “profession”) Taking cures (she had a weak constitution) Literature/Theater/Art (she was an avid writer and later published several dramas, including "Dido" and "Ryno") Animals (she had various pets, e.g. cats, dogs and doves) Profession and family In 1758 Charlotte became a lady-in-waiting to Anna Amalia, Duchess of Saxe-Weimar-Eisenach, whom she served until the Duchess's death in 1807. On 17 May 1764 Charlotte married Baron Gottlob Ernst Josias Friedrich von Stein (1735–1793). It was not a marriage for love, but for social and political interests. Often Charlotte remained alone in Weimar, as her husband travelled a great deal in the service of the Duke of Saxe-Weimar in Jena. From 1764 to 1773 she gave birth to seven children. Four daughters died; three boys, Karl, Ernst and Fritz, survived. After her seventh child was born, Charlotte was physically exhausted, and took a succession of cures. She was also the aunt of Amalia von Helvig, who became a member of the Royal Swedish Academy of Music. Works Charlotte von Stein wrote four plays, only one was published during her lifetime, Die zwey Emilien (The Two Emilies). The play was published anonymously, but with Schiller's name on the cover, which led many to believe that he was the author. Not until 1923 was Die zwey Emilien published under Charlotte von Stein's name. A second play, Die Probe (The Trial or The Rehearsal), may have been written by Charlotte von Stein. It was published in 1809 and has since disappeared. Charlotte