Dictionary.net

A Russian novelist and mystic; born at Riga, Nov. 21, 1764; died at Karassu-Bazar, Dec. 24, 1824. Her checkered and romantic career touched the extremes of life- worldliness and sainthood. After having left her husband, with whom her union had been unhappy and whom she had deceived, and tasted Parisian dissipation, she became a Swedenborgian, and devoted herself to helping the poor and afflicted. Surrounded by a retinue of clergy, she traversed Europe, preaching eloquently to the people a return to primitive Christianity, and being persecuted and expelled by the different governments. She was the friend of Queen Louise of Prussia and of Alexander I. of Russia, and is said to have been very influential in the formation of the Holy Alliance. She foretold Napoleon's triumphant return from Elba. Her death was the result of ascetic practices. Her literary reputation rests upon the famous romance "Valeria, or Letters of Gustave de Linar to Ernest de G- \". (last ed. 1878), containing the history of her marital relations.