Emerenz Meier Bust

Have you ever wondered what a famous author looks like? Right in front of you stands a bust of Emerenz Meier, a Bavarian poet who lived from 1874 to 1928. Emerenz Meier, destined to become an acclaimed writer, was born into a large, poor family in Schiefwag, a forest village close to Bavaria’s Czech border. As a young girl, she began writing stories that showed her love of nature and Bavarian folklore. In 1893, when she was 19, her first published short story appeared in a Passau newspaper. This encouraged her to seek literary and artistic companions in Passau. Her life, though, was full of challenges. In the beginning of the 20th century, she moved, along with many others, to the United States. Her family and she settled in Chicago, where she continued to write about Bavaria until her death in 1928. The bronze bust, expertly crafted by artist Christine Wagner from Biberg, captures Emerenz Meier in traditional clothing. It was erected in 2008, on the 80th anniversary of her passing, in front of a former bar where she once ran the “Zum Koppenjäger” boatman’s pub. The dedication of the Soroptimist International Club Passau made this tribute to the beloved writer possible and is a reminder of how Emerenz Meier’s work continues to touch the lives of many.