Back at the Woodland Cemetery, or Skogskyrkogården as we like to call it. The World Heritage Site at Enskede in Stockholm. There are more than 100 000 graves here. I picked one at random, believe it or not, and got a very interesting story. This is Maria Sandel's grave. Born by hardworking, but poor parents, Maria Sandel started working aged twelve. She emigrated to the US, where she worked as a maid for four years. By then, she was fluid in four languages Swedish, English, German and French. When she was twenty-five, she lost her hearing, and just a few years later most of her eye-sight. Despite all her problems, she became an author. She started writing novels about working class women. One author that inspired her was Charles Dickens. She became a member of the Social Democratic Party. Maria never married, she was poor for most of her life. She died aged 56. There is a street at Kungsholmen named after her, Maria Sandels gränd.
What a story but also a difficult life. Thanks for showing us.
ReplyDeleteFascinating information about a remarkable woman. I enjoy hearing stories like this. The kind of stories we rarely hear.
ReplyDeleteWhat an interesting story and life.
ReplyDeleteYou never know what someone's real story is when you pass them on the street. Fascinating info about this woman.
ReplyDeleteA good tribute.
ReplyDeleteGreat post
ReplyDeleteShe sounds like a really intelligent lady for her time.
ReplyDeleteA fine shot. And the headstone is just beautiful.
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