Meta Wellmer
Meta Wellmer, who also wrote under the pseudonym M. Wirth, was a German writer, teacher, and activist whose work addressed women's rights, vegetarianism, and animal welfare. She taught in several European cities and wrote poetry, fiction, and essays on education and nutrition; she contributed to the periodical Vereinsblatt der Freunde der natürlichen Lebensweise and published Die vegetarische Lebensweise und die Vegetarier. She corresponded with Thomas Carlyle and his family, wrote to Friedrich Nietzsche in 1875, and spent much of her life in Ebersdorf, Reuss, where she died in 1889.
Biography
Early life and education
Margarethe Wirth was born in Leonrod, Kingdom of Bavaria, either on 18 December 1826 or in 1832. Her mother was Eva Margaretha Wirth, an unmarried weaver and the daughter of the mayor of Leonrod, who married Johann Geck in Deberndorf in 1830. Meta Wellmer later identified the Royal Bavarian District Judge and City Commissioner who died in Munich in 1859, as her father; however, it is uncertain whether he was her biological father, as he was not listed on her baptismal certificate. Through him, she received a thorough education in the sciences, modern languages, and music.Writing and teaching career
Wellmer became a teacher at the age of 17. She taught in Germany, Switzerland, Paris, London, Madrid, and Rome. During her career, she gained prominence as a writer, publishing multiple collections of poetry and short stories, along with numerous articles on topics such as education, nutrition, and women's rights in both domestic and international journals.Vegetarianism and animal welfare
Wellmer became a vegetarian in 1869 and was extremely active in the vegetarianism and animal welfare movements. She was one of the early female contributors to the Vereinsblatt der Freunde der natürlichen Lebensweise. Her contributions included a poem in 1872 and a piece titled "Two Days of Travel" in Switzerland from a vegetarian perspective in 1874. She was one of the few women who regularly wrote for the journal during the late 19th century.Wellmer also published independent works focused on animal welfare. Additionally, she authored the book Die vegetarische Lebensweise und die Vegetarier.
Correspondence
Wellmer was a correspondent of Scottish essayist, historian, and philosopher Thomas Carlyle, and his family.Wellmer wrote to Friedrich Nietzsche in 1875, enclosing a copy of her book Geistergeschichten aus neuerer Zeit. In the letter, she discusses her admiration for Schopenhauer's philosophy, particularly the moral and ethical implications it has on daily life. In the letter, she expresses admiration for Schopenhauer's philosophy and discusses its moral implications for daily life. She writes that she adopted vegetarianism, which she regarded as the only moral and humane way of living, and proposes establishing a society of Schopenhauer’s followers to promote his teachings on equality, kinship, and mutual support.
Personal life and death
Wellmer was a feminist and spiritualist.Wellmer spent most of her life in Ebersdorf, Reuss. She died there on 1 August 1889, at the reported age of 62.