Elisabeth von Staegemann

Johanna Elisabeth von Staegemann (née Fischer; 11 April 1761 in Königsberg – 11 July 1835 in Berlin), was a German writer, painter, salonist and noble.

The daughter of the Prussian businessman, Kommerzienrat Johann Jakob Fischer (died 1786) and Regina nee Hartung (1734–1805) grew up in Königsberg, Prussia.

In her liberal society, open to the arts and science, she gained a reputation as a young woman.

Due to the Prussian defeat in the battle of Jena and Auerstedt, the Staegemanns went back to East Prussia with the royal family.

Friendly ties were also established with Prince Janusz Radziwiłł and his wife Luise von Prussia.

As wife of the state councilor, Staegemann soon played a leading role in Berlin's cultural life, especially since her friend Rahel Varnhagen's salon was dissolved in 1806, leaving a social vacuum.

As with many other contemporary salons, the relative freedom from class barriers in the selection of guests and their mutual interaction is sociologically significant.