Christine Enghaus, pseudonym of Johanne Louise Christine Engehausen, was a German actress and wife of the German playwright Friedrich Hebbel.
Background
Christine Engehausen was born in Braunschweig, and grew up under poor circumstances in a large family. She had work early to contribute to the living of the family, because her father died before she turned seven. On the initiative of her mother, she was sent to the children"s ballet at the state theatre at Braunschweig (Braunschweiger Hoftheater) at the age of seven.
Career
Due to her artistic talent she soon had little roles in plays and was finally discovered and supported by K. Köchy. Starting in 1829, Enghaus belonged to the ensemble of the state theatre in Braunschweig. She had her breakthrough in 1833 when she played Joan of Arc in Bremen and was immediately hired to play in this city.
In 1840, already famous, she was engaged to play at the Burgtheater and belonged to the ensemble until 1875.