Personal data
Princess Agnes of Anhalt-Dessau
Henriette Katharina Agnes von Anhalt-Dessau
Born 1743 
in Dessau
Died 1798 
in Dessau
Princess Agnes of Anhalt-Dessau

Princess of Anhalt-Dessau, daughter of Leopold II Maximillian of Anhalt-Dessau (1700-1751) and Giesela Agnes of Anhalt-Köthen (1721-1751). In 1769, she moved to Herford Abbey where she became Dean.

She married Johann Just, Freiherr von Löen (1737-1803) and Lord of Cappeln and Tecklenburg in 1779, and had at least three children, Agnes Leopoldine Casimire (named after herself and her two favourite sisters, who were by then both deceased)1 and Friedrich2.

Boswell was introduced to Princess Agnes (as she was commonly known) at the court of Dessau on September 24, 1764. He danced with her, and with her two sisters, at a ball on September 29, held by the Princess Wilhelmine in honour of the deposed Duke of Courland.

On September 30, 1764 - the day of his taking leave of Dessau - he described the Princess as "a comely, black, amiable young lady."

  • 1The younger Agnes later married Count Heinrich Ernst Leopold of Seherr-Thoß
  • 2Friedrich became Marshal of the Court at the court in Dessau
Boswell on the Grand Tour I, 1764

Unless otherwise noted, the source for a dated quotation of Boswell's is generally the corresponding volume of the Yale Trade Editions of Boswell's journals.