Pauline of Anhalt-Bernburg
| Princess Pauline | |
|---|---|
portrait by Johann Christoph Rincklake, 1801
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| Princess consort of Lippe | |
| Tenure | 2 January 1796 – 5 November 1802 |
| Regent of Lippe | |
| Tenure | 5 November 1802 – 3 July 1820 |
| Born |
23 February 1769 Ballenstedt |
| Died | 29 December 1820 (aged 51) Detmold |
| Burial | Detmold Mausoleum |
| Spouse | Leopold I, Prince of Lippe |
| Issue |
Leopold II Prince Frederick Princess Louise |
| House | House of Ascania |
| Father | Frederick Albert, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg |
| Mother | Louise of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön |
| Religion | Calvinism |
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Styles of The Princess of Lippe |
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| Reference style | Her Serene Highness |
| Spoken style | Your Serene Highness |
| Alternative style | Ma'am |
Pauline Christine Wilhelmine of Anhalt-Bernburg (also: Princess Pauline of Lippe; 23 February 1769, Ballenstedt – 29 December 1820, Detmold) was a princess consort of Lippe, married in 1796 to Leopold I, Prince of Lippe. She served as the regent of Lippe during the minority of her son from 1802 to 1820. She is regarded as one of the most important rulers of Lippe. On 1 January 1809, she abolished serfdom by princely decree. She managed to keep the principality independent during the Napoleonic Wars. She wrote a constitution, in which the power of the estates was reduced. In the collective historical consciousness of the Lippe population, however, she is best remembered for her social goals. Influenced by French reformist writings, she founded the first day care center in Germany, a labor school for neglected children, a voluntary work camp for adult charity recipients and a health care institution with first aid center.
Pauline was the daughter of Prince Frederick Albert, Prince of Anhalt-Bernburg of Anhalt-Bernburg and his wife Louise of Schleswig-Holstein-Sonderburg-Plön. A few days after her birth, her mother died of the measles. She had an elder brother, Alexius Frederick Christian (1767–1834), who was Duke of Anhalt-Bernburg from 1807. It was noticed at an early age that Pauline had an alert mind. Her father, Prince Frederick Albert personally took over the upbringing of his daughter Pauline and his son and heir Alexei. She was a good student and learned French in addition to Latin, history and political sciences. Already at 13 years of age, she assisted her father in the business of government. First she took over the French correspondence, and later the entire correspondence between the residence in Ballenstedt Castle and the government offices in Bernburg. Her education was strongly influenced by Christian ethics and the ideas of the Enlightenment. Later Pauline continued to practice what she had learned in her youth, such as the teachings of Johann Heinrich Pestalozzi and Jean-Jacques Rousseau.
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