Anne Goye

Anne Gøye was born in Turebyholm, Denmark, on 18 January 1609. She was the daughter of Henrik Gøye, a wealthy landowner and politician, and Brigitte Brahe, a noblewoman and sister of the astronomer Tycho Brahe. She had nine siblings, including the statesman Jørgen Gøye and the diplomat Falk Gøye. She lost both her parents at an early age, and was raised by her aunt Sophie Brahe and her husband Holger Rosenkrantz, who lived in Rosenholm Castle. There she received a good education and developed a love for books and learning. ¹² She never married, but devoted her life to her family and her interests. She inherited a large fortune from her father, which she used to support various charitable causes, especially those related to education and religion. She also collected books, manuscripts, and letters, creating a library of over 900 volumes, mostly in Danish, German, and Latin. She acquired many rare and valuable works, such as the first printed edition of Saxo Grammaticus's Gesta Danorum, and the original manuscript of Niels Hemmingsen's Enchiridion. She also corresponded with many prominent scholars and writers of her time, such as Thomas Bartholin, Ole Worm, and Hans Svane. ¹² In 1660, she moved to Næstved, where she bought a house and established her library. She also became involved in the local community, supporting the church and the school. In 1673, she moved to Odense, where she lived in a building that is now part of the Odense Adelige Jomfrukloster, a home for unmarried noblewomen. She continued to expand and organize her library, and also donated books to other institutions, such as the University of Copenhagen and the Royal Library. ¹² She died in Odense on 9 January 1681, and was buried in Sorø Klosterkirke, where her brother Jørgen had also been laid to rest. She left her library to her great-niece Karen Brahe, who inherited Rosenholm Castle and shared her passion for books. Karen Brahe added more volumes to the collection, and made it accessible to the public. The library, known as the Karen Brahe Library, is now housed in the Odense City Museum, and is considered one of the most important cultural treasures of Denmark. ¹²