Schmidt Anna Nikolayevna (early 1850s – 1905) was a Nizhny Novgorod teacher, journalist, and religious thinker, the author of mystical writings and the creator of her own theosophical doctrine, which arose under the influence of the "sophiological" ideas of the philosopher V. S. Solovyov. She was born in Nizhny Novgorod and spent most of her life there.[1]
Origins and Education
Anna Schmidt was born into the family of a lawyer, a nobleman. She received a home education and passed the gymnasium examinations with a gold medal. From 1873 to 1876 she taught French at the Nizhny Novgorod Mariinsky Girls' Gymnasium. After her father was exiled by court order from Poland to Astrakhan, she followed the family there and began her journalistic career at a local newspaper.[1]
Journalism in Nizhny Novgorod
In early 1894, Schmidt returned to Nizhny Novgorod with her family. She worked at the newspaper "Volgar" as a proofreader and staff member of the chronicle section, and did translations from French. From the end of 1894 until the end of her life she contributed to the "Nizhegorodsky Listok," publishing reports, accounts of zemstvo assemblies, theater chronicles, reviews of concerts and of opera and drama performances, and articles covering every theatrical tour.[1] At the editorial office of the Nizhegorodsky Listok she met Maxim Gorky and often saw him in connection with newspaper business.[1]
Religious and Philosophical Views
From 1900, Schmidt became fascinated with the theological philosophy of V. S. Solovyov. She believed that she felt the incarnate spirit of the Church within herself, identified herself with Sophia, and Solovyov with a new incarnation of Christ. She wrote a mystical treatise on the Third Testament, understanding the Holy Spirit as the Daughter of God. Solovyov called the treatise "a truth of the greatest importance," but after meeting her in person and reading Schmidt's "Confession," he described some of her revelations as "prelest" (spiritual delusion).[2] The correspondence between Schmidt and Solovyov consisted of 26 of her letters and 7 replies.[1] Shortly before Solovyov's death, in April 1900, he sent her a letter that was apparently dictated by concern for the state of her soul.[2]
Schmidt was connected with sects close to the Catholic heresy and led a religious circle in Nizhny Novgorod.[1] Her views were analyzed by S. N. Bulgakov in the essay "Vladimir Solovyov and Anna Schmidt," published in the collection "Quiet Thoughts" (1916).[2]