[or Laroche; Maria Sophie Guterman]. German authoress, born at Kaufbeuren, Bavaria, on the 6th of December 1731. She wrote novels somewhat after the style of the English novelist Richardson. Among them are Fräulein Sternheim; Melusinens Sommerlieder; and Rosaliens Briefe. She is better known, however, on account of her connection with the German literary men of the day. Wieland is said to have fallen in love with her, and Goethe with her daughter, Maximilliane. After her marriage with La Roche, her house at Ehrenbreitstein became a favorite resort for literary men and women. Her daughter was the mother of Bettina von Arnim and Clemens Brentano. She died at Offenbach, Hesse, on the 18th of February 1807.
