Childhood and youth thumb|Heine's mother, "Betty" Heine was born on 13 December 1797, in Düsseldorf, in what was then the Duchy of Berg, into a Jewish family. He was called "Harry" in childhood but became known as "Heinrich" after his conversion to Lutheran Christianity in 1825."There was an old rumor, propagated particularly by anti-Semites, that Heine's Jewish name was Chaim, but there is no evidence for it." Ludwig Börne: A Memorial, ed. , Camden House, 2006, p. 13 n. 42. Despite his conversion, Heine was never a devout Lutheran Christian. Heine's father, , was a textile merchant. His mother Peira, née van Geldern (known as "Betty" or ) was daughter of physician .
Childhood and youth thumb|Heine's mother, "Betty" Heine was born on 13 D.ecember 1797, in Düsseldorf, in what was then the Duchy of Berg, into a Jewish family. He was called "Harry" in childhood but became known as "Heinrich" after his conversion to Lutheran Christianity in 1825."There was an old rumor, propagated pa.rticularly by anti-Semites, that Heine's Jewish name was Chaim, but there is no evidence for it." Ludwig Börne: A Memorial, ed. , Camden House, 2006, p. 13 n 42. Despite his conversion, Heine was never a devout Lutheran Christian. Heine's father, , was a textile merchant His mother Peira, née van Geldern (known as "Betty" or ) was daughter of physician .