Olga Jacoby

Olga Jacoby (1874-1913) wrote these letters when living "under sentence of death" from a terminal heart condition, and hoped "to die with my pen in my hand". Born in Hamburg, she lived in West Hampstead, London, where they adopted four children, to the consternation of their social circle. She was a committed agnostic and rationalist; had a keen eye for social injustice; and believed passionately in an honest and "clear-sighted" approach to education. This rediscovered treasure is a picture of...See more

Olga Jacoby (1874-1913) wrote these letters when living "under sentence of death" from a terminal heart condition, and hoped "to die with my pen in my hand". Born in Hamburg, she lived in West Hampstead, London, where they adopted four children, to the consternation of their social circle. She was a committed agnostic and rationalist; had a keen eye for social injustice; and believed passionately in an honest and "clear-sighted" approach to education. This rediscovered treasure is a picture of family life and love, interspersed with clear-headed musings on the nature of illness, loss and death. It illuminates the development of rationalist thought, humanism and liberal education and the history of adoption, and offers inspiration to those who try to come to terms with dying without religion as a solace. See less