Bettina von Arnim (c. 1809) In 1806, the young Bettina von Arnim (née Brentano) (1785-1859) became acquainted with the mother of Johann Wolfgang von Goethe; a year later, she met the poet himself. Arnim's extensive correspondence with the two formed the basis of her well-known epistolary novel, Goethes Briefwechsel mit einem Kinde [Goethe's Correspondence with a Child] (1835). Among other works, Arnim also published her correspondence with her famous brother, poet Clemens Brentano (1778-1842). The volume appeared in 1844 under the title Clemens Brentanos Frühlingskranz [Clemens Brentano's Spring Wreath]. Etching by Emil Ludwig Grimm, c. 1809.