Maria Reiche-Grosse was born on May 15th, 1903 in Dresden as the
first child of the councillor of the magistrates' court Dr. Felix
Reiche-Grosse and his wife Elisabeth. She spent her childhood with
her younger sister Renate and brother Franz at the Zittauer street.
Here began her early interest for natural scientific observations.
With 13 years Maria went to a school, which is today the “Romain-Rolland” high school.
Later she thought thankfully back to her school years:
"My old teachers, by the heaven, would never forgive me, if I would
forget this time. The result of my today’s work belongs to the basis of this education ...".
In 1922 Maria Reiche enrolled at the Dresden University of Technology.
Two semesters she studied in Hamburg. After four years studying (1928) she took
the examination for post grammar school in the subject’s mathematics, physics,
philosophy, pedagogy and geography. It followed unsteady years. Maria got again
and again only temporary works. Besides the National Socialism started to become
established in Germany. So came the “employment wanted” advertisement of the German
consul in Cuzco just in time. He was looking for a house teacher. She applied and was
chosen out of 80 applicants. In the February 1932 she went full of expectation to Peru.
|