Personal data
Portait of Johanna Sophie von Anhalt by C. F. R. Lisiewski
Johanna Sophie von Anhalt
Born July 9, 1731  
in Kleckewitz
Died July 15, 1786  
in Dessau
Abbess of Mosigkau

Daughter of Count Wilhelm Gustav (1699-1737) of Anhalt-Dessau and Johanna Sophie Herre (1706-1795). Sometime Abbess of Mosigkau.

Boswell apparently met Johanna Sophie, her two sisters and her mother on September 25, 1764 at the Court of Dessau. He described the three sisters as "strong, bouncing women" and noted that one of them was "very clever".

    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.