Emilie Fontane

Emilie Fontane (née Rouanet, 1824–1902) was born in Dresden and adopted at the age of two by the Berlin globe manufacturer Wilhelm Kummer. In 1850, she married the writer Theodor Fontane. She was closely involved in his literary work as his secretary and critic. During the couple’s frequent periods of separation, they maintained an extensive correspondence; around 180 letters by Emilie Fontane have survived, including numerous personal and literary documents.