Sophie Rostopchine (1799-1874) was of Russian aristocratic origin. Her father was a general and the governor of Moscow, up until he was disgraced in 1812 and had to go into exile; his family eventually followed, ending up in France c1817.
Her mother had converted to Roman Catholicism in 1805, an unusual decision for any Russian at the time, let alone a Russian noblewoman married to a person high in the Russian government. Daughter Sophie, who eventually married a French nobleman and spent the rest of her days in France, remained devoted to the new religion to the very end.
Her first (or practically first) work, published in 1856, Nouveaux contes de fées, was based on stories she had made up for her grand-children and was an immediate success. She continued writing until almost the end of her life, mostly things for or about children. Her stories are strongly moralizing, but nonetheless charming.
Sophie Rostopchine (aka the Countess of Ségur) is at her moralistic best in this story about a brave little boy who will stop at nothing to save his sick mother. Luckily for him, he has the Fairy Bienfaisante to help him on his way.
Check out this exciting web series, featuring the Professor.
Why art thou sad, my Beppo?"
Mad Beppo (aka the Professor) is neither sad nor mad. He delights in French, poetry, film, and Baroque music. More about Mad Beppo…