Originally published in 1898, “Elizabeth and her German Garden” is the
first book by Marie Annette Beauchamp—known all her life as
“Elizabeth”. The book, anonymously published, was an incredible
success, going through printing after printing by several publishers
over the next few years. (I myself own three separate early editions of
this book by different publishers on both sides of the Atlantic.) The
present Gutenberg edition was scanned from the illustrated deluxe
MacMillan (London) edition of 1900.
Elizabeth was a cousin of the better-known writer Katherine Mansfield
(whose real name was Kathleen Mansfield Beauchamp). Born in Australia,
Elizabeth was educated in England. She was reputed to be a fine
organist and musician. At a young age, she captured the heart of a
German Count, was persuaded to marry him, and went to live in Germany.
Over the next years she bore five daughters. After her husband’s death
and the decline of the estate, she returned to England. She was a
friend to many of high social standing, including people such as H. G.
Wells (who considered her one of the finest wits of the day). Some time
later she married the brother of Bertrand Russell; which marriage was a
failure and ended in divorce. Eventually Elizabeth fled to America at
the outbreak of the Second World War, and there died in 1941.
Elizabeth is best known to modern readers by the name “Elizabeth von
Arnim”, author of “The Enchanted April” which was recently made into a
successful film by the same title. Another of her books, “Mr.
Skeffington” was also once made into a film starring Bette Davis, circa
1940.
Some of Elizabeth’s work is published in modern editions by Virago and
other publishers. Among these are: “Love”, “The Enchanted April”,
“Caravaners”, “Christopher and Columbus”, “The Pastor’s Wife”, “Mr.
Skeffington”, “The Solitary Summer”, and “Elizabeth’s Adventures in
Rugen”. Also published by Virago is her non-autobiography “All the Dogs
of My Life”—as the title suggests, it is the story not of her life, but
of the lives of the many dogs she owned; though of course it does touch
upon her own experiences.
In the centennial year of this book’s first publication, I hope that
its availability through Project Gutenberg will stir some renewed
interest in Elizabeth and her delightful work. She is, I would venture,
my favorite author; and I hope that soon she will be one of your
favorites.
R. McGowan San Jose, April 11 1998.