Johanne Henriette Valentine Danneskiold-Samsøe née Kaas (12 August 1776 – 28 July 1843) was a Danish countess who, when widowed, fulfilled her former husband's plans by founding the Holmegaard Glass Factory near Næstved in 1825. In so doing, she became one of Denmark's most notable early businesswomen. Danneskiold-Samsøe is also remembered for the correspondence she maintained with her former tutor Peder Deichmann.[1][2][3]
Biography
Born on 12 August 1776 in Copenhagen, Johanne Henriette Valentine Kaas was one of the nine children of Admiral Frederik Christian Kaas (1727–1804) and his wife Edele Sofie née Kaas (1746–1800).[4][5] She was educated at home together with her sisters by the tutor Peder Deichmann with whom she corresponded actively until his death in 1816.[3][6]
On 30 November 1795, Henriette Kaas married Count Christian Conrad Danneskiold-Samsøe from the noble Danneskiold-Samsøe family. They developed a truly romantic relationship which deepened over the years.[3] Living on the large Gisselfeld Estate, they entertained the leading writers of the day, including N.F.S. Grundtvig and Hans Christian Andersen.[6]
References
- At the cutting edge in 185 years. The History behind Holmegaard Holmegaard, retrieved 18 January 2022^
- Henriette Danneskiold-Samsøe Thorvaldsens Museum, retrieved 18 January 2022^
- Forfatter: Pligten puster liv i arbejdslivet Kristeligt Dagblad, 6 November 2015, retrieved 18 January 2022