Rothmann, Maria Elisabeth (1875–1975)
Rothmann, Maria Elisabeth (1875–1975)
South African novelist and essayist. Name variations: M.E.R. Born 1875 in Swellendam, South Africa; died 1975 in Swellendam; children: Anna.
Worked as teacher and social worker; edited 1st Afrikaans women's magazine Die Boerevrou, and 1st women's page of Die Burger newspaper; appointed secretary of Afrikaans Christian Women's Organization and published its history (1954); was the only woman appointed to the Carnegie Commission; works include Kinders van die Voortrek (1920), Omweekrshoogte (1927), Jong Dae (1933), Na Vaste Gange (1944), Uit en Tuis (1946), Die Gevers (1950), So is Onse Maniere (1965), and Hanne en die Bessiekinders (1972); also translated works from Dutch into Afrikaans and wrote 3 vols. of essays; published autobiography My Beskeie Deel (1972); with daughter, wrote The Drostdy at Swellendam (1960); letters to daughter published posthumously as Familigesprek (1976) and 'n Kosbare Erfenis (1977).