ELIZABETH AND HER GERMAN GARDEN

By Elizabeth Von Arnim

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INTRODUCTION TO THE PROJECT GUTENBERG EDITION

Originally published in 1898, “Elizabeth and her German Garden” is the firstbook by Marie Annette Beauchamp—known all her life as “Elizabeth”. The book,anonymously published, was an incredible success, going through printing afterprinting by several publishers over the next few years. (I myself own threeseparate early editions of this book by different publishers on both sides ofthe Atlantic.) The present Gutenberg edition was scanned from the illustrateddeluxe MacMillan (London) edition of 1900.

Elizabeth was a cousin of the better-known writer Katherine Mansfield (whosereal name was Kathleen Mansfield Beauchamp). Born in Australia, Elizabeth waseducated in England. She was reputed to be a fine organist and musician. At ayoung age, she captured the heart of a German Count, was persuaded to marryhim, 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 toEngland. She was a friend to many of high social standing, including peoplesuch 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 wasa failure and ended in divorce. Eventually Elizabeth fled to America at theoutbreak 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 filmby the same title. Another of her books, “Mr. Skeffington” was also once madeinto a film starring Bette Davis, circa 1940.

Some of Elizabeth’s work is published in modern editions by Virago and otherpublishers. Among these are: “Love”, “The Enchanted April”, “Caravaners”,“Christopher and Columbus”, “The Pastor’s Wife”, “Mr. Skeffington”, “TheSolitary Summer”, and “Elizabeth’s Adventures in Rugen”. Also published byVirago is her non-autobiography “All the Dogs of My Life”—as the titlesuggests, it is the story not of her life, but of the lives of the many dogsshe owned; though of course it does touch upon her own experiences.

In the centennial year of this book’s first publication, I hope that itsavailability through Project Gutenberg will stir some renewed interest inElizabeth 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.