Bora (Bohra or Bohren), Katharina Von

Bora (Bohra Or Bohren), Katharina Von the wife of Luther, was born at Loben in Saxony, Jan. 29, 1499, and while very young became a nun in the convent of Nimptschen. On reading some of Luther's writings, she determined to abandon the monastic life, and, along with eight of her companions, applied to Luther for help. At his instance Leonhard Koppe, a citizen of Torgau, succeeded in effecting their escape by night, April 4, 1523. Katharina found an asylum in the house of the burgomaster Reichenbach, at Wittenberg, and was married to Luther, June 13, 1525. The marriage caused a great stir in the religious world, but. proved a very happy one. Luther in his will left all his property to her. She died at Torgau, Dec. 20, 1552. See Beste, Geschichte Kath. von B. (Halle, 1843); Walch, Geschiochte der Kath. von Bora; Mayer, De Catharina, Lutheri Conjuge; Hofmann, Cath. von Bora.