The Life and Legacy of Bertha von Suttner

Bertha von Suttner (9 June 1843 – 21 June 1914) was an Austrian-Bohemian pacifist. In 1905, Bertha von Suttner was awarded the Nobel Prize.

Early Life And Education

Bertha von Suttner, born as Bertha Kinsky on June 9, 1843, in Prague, was a notable figure in the peace movement and the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize. Her birthplace, the Kinsky Palace in Prague, was part of the Kingdom of Bohemia within the Austrian Empire. Bertha’s family was of aristocratic descent; her father, Franz Michael de Paula Josef Graf Kinsky von Wchinitz und Tettau, was a distinguished Lieutenant general who had passed away shortly before her birth, and her mother, Sophie Wilhelmine von Körner, came from a family of lower nobility. Despite her noble lineage, Bertha faced exclusion from the highest echelons of society due to her mixed aristocratic background. Her education was influenced by her family’s intellectual pursuits, with her cousin introducing her to literature and philosophy. This early exposure to the arts and humanities laid the foundation for her future work as a pacifist and novelist.

Career And Achievements

Bertha von Suttner most notable achievement is the Nobel Peace Prize she received in 1905, making her the first woman to be honored with this award. Von Suttner’s career as a pacifist and author was marked by her audacity to oppose the horrors of war, which she vividly depicted in her influential anti-war novel, “Lay Down Your Arms,” published in 1889. The book’s provocative message resonated widely, contributing significantly to the peace movement. Her close friendship and correspondence with Alfred Nobel are believed to have influenced his decision to establish the Nobel Peace Prize. Von Suttner also played a crucial role in founding the Austrian Peace Society in 1891 and was recognized as a liberal and forceful leader at international peace congresses, often standing out in the male-dominated assemblies. Her legacy as the “generalissimo of the peace movement” is a testament to her lifelong commitment to advocating for peace and disarmament.

Notable Events And Milestones

Bertha von Suttner early life was shaped by financial difficulties despite her aristocratic birth, which influenced her perspectives and later work. A pivotal moment came when she worked as a secretary for Alfred Nobel in Paris in 1876, which forged a connection that would later influence Nobel’s decision to include a Peace Prize in his will. Von Suttner’s marriage to Baron Arthur Gundaccar von Suttner, against his family’s wishes, led to their self-imposed exile in the Caucasus, where she deepened her literary and peace activism pursuits. Her most significant contribution to literature and the peace movement was her novel “Die Waffen nieder!” (Lay Down Your Arms!), published in 1889, which became an international sensation and was compared in influence to Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Uncle Tom’s Cabin”. This novel, along with her other writings and her role as editor of the pacifist journal also titled “Die Waffen nieder!”, solidified her position as a leading figure in the international peace movement. In 1891, she co-founded the Austrian Peace Society, further demonstrating her commitment to the cause.

Von Suttner’s impact on history is profound. She was the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905, recognizing her efforts in the peace movement and her influence on Nobel himself. Her advocacy and writings were instrumental in the early development of the intergovernmental peace movement and influenced the formation of various peace organizations. Her legacy is one of tireless advocacy for peace and disarmament, reflecting the scientific and free-thinking basis of her pacifism, which drew from the thoughts of H.T. Buckle, Herbert Spencer, and Charles Darwin. Her life and work left an indelible mark on society and culture, inspiring future generations of pacifists and activists. Her novel and her peace policy efforts led to the founding of the Austrian and German peace societies. Von Suttner was a peace activist and a peace agitator, who tirelessly wrote letters, books, and articles, built up a large network of supporters, raised money for the cause of pacifism, and held lectures in Europe and the United States.

Awards And Honors

• Bertha von Suttner was the first woman to be awarded the Nobel Peace Prize in 1905.
• She was the second female Nobel laureate, following Marie Curie who received the prize in 1903.
• Von Suttner was also the first Austrian and Czech laureate to receive the Nobel Peace Prize.
• Her novel “Lay Down Your Arms” was influential in the peace movement and contributed to her Nobel Peace Prize win.
• She served as the Honorary President of the Permanent International Peace Bureau in Berne, Switzerland.
• Bertha von Suttner’s work and dedication were a major influence on Alfred Nobel’s decision to establish the Nobel Peace Prize.
• On 10 December 2019, a Google Doodle was created to celebrate Bertha von Suttner.

Additional Resources

Books:

• “Die Waffen nieder!” (1889) by Bertha von Suttner, a pivotal work in the peace movement.
• “Memoirs of Bertha Von Suttner: The Records of an Eventful Life” (2010), offering personal insights into her life.
• “Lay Down Your Arms: The Autobiography of Martha von Tilling” (2023), a fictionalized account of peace activism.

Documentaries:

• “Bertha von Suttner: A champion of peace” by BBC World Service, detailing her life and impact on the peace movement.
• “The Woman Behind the Nobel Peace Prize” featured at the Nobel Peace Center, exploring her influence on Alfred Nobel.

Museums:

• Peace Museum Vienna, which includes Bertha von Suttner as one of its peace heroes and provides information about her life and work.
• The Bertha von Suttner Project, which aims to establish a dedicated peace museum in Vienna in her honor.
• Brooklyn Museum, which features Bertha von Suttner in its heritage floor exhibit.

These resources provide a comprehensive look at Bertha von Suttner’s contributions to the peace movement and her lasting legacy.

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