Hildegard Von Bingen was a German composer, Abbess, mystic visionary, herbal healer, scientist, poet, and more. She was born on September 16, 1098 in the town of Bermersheim to a noble family. She first started having visions when she was only five years old, and three years later her family sent her to a small nunnery attached to the Benedictine Monestery at Disibodenberg where she was a novice. She took religious vows at age 15 at this nunnery, and when its Prioress died in 1136 Hildegard took over that position.
In 1141, Hildegard received a vision of tongues of fire descending on her from heaven, and from that time forward she dedicated her life to following that vision. Pope Eugenius III validated her vision in 1148 and she was given permission to record them in written form. By 1150, she had founded a new abbey at Rupertsberg in the Rhine valley, and around 1165 had established a daughter abbey to it at Eibingen. She died on September 17, 1179 at the age of 81, leaving behind prophetic and apocalyptic writings, books on natural history and medicine, books on lives of the Saints, sermons on various topics, and poetry and music.
She was canonized as a Saint and made a Doctor of the Catholic Church in 2012. Her liturgical feast day is celebrated on September 17 each year.
Books by or about Hildegard von Bingen
Illuminations of Hildegard of Bingen
Printed Music
Songs for the Blessed Virgin Mary
Streaming Music
A Feather on the Breath of God: Songs of Hildegard Von Bingen
DVD
Throughout 2024, the Boston Public Library is highlighting revolutionary musicians throughout history. In September, we celebrate the twelfth century abbess and noted composer Hildegard von Bingen, some of whose music has survived even to the present day. This list of historical fiction and biographies about women who have exercised power and influence in their own ways through the ages will appeal to her fans both new and old.
Browse this illustrated collection of women both heroic and villainous throughout history, from a rebel preacher in 1630s Boston, to a bloodthirsty Hungarian countess, to a pirate queen who commanded a fleet of more than 70,000 men on China's seas.
The extraordinary story of an obscure young German princess who traveled to Russia at fourteen and rose to become one of the most remarkable, powerful, and captivating women in history.
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