Bertha von Suttner (1843-1914) was an Austrian writer, peace activist, and leading figure in the international pacifist movement. She is best known for her novel "Die Waffen nieder!" ("Lay Down Your Arms!"), published in 1889, which became an influential manifesto for the peace movement and made her a prominent advocate for disarmament.
Born into an aristocratic family in Prague, Bertha von Suttner grew up in a society heavily influenced by militarism. However, she developed a strong aversion to war and violence, inspired in part by her experiences as a governess in the Habsburg Empire and by her friendship with Alfred Nobel, the inventor of dynamite and founder of the Nobel Peace Prize. Inspired by their discussions and appalled by the destructiveness of warfare witnessed during the Franco-Prussian War and later the Balkan Wars, she dedicated herself to the cause of peace.
As a peace activist, von Suttner tirelessly campaigned for the establishment of peaceful means to resolve conflicts, utilizing lectures, writings, and engagements in international conferences. Her activism extended beyond Europe, and she played an instrumental role in the foundation of the International Peace Bureau (IPB) in 1891, serving as its first female secretary and becoming an influential voice in the peace movement.
Bertha von Suttner's dedication to peace and disarmament made her one of the most prominent and respected figures of her time. She was nominated for the Nobel Peace Prize three times before finally receiving it in 1905, becoming the first woman awarded the prestigious honor. Her steadfast commitment to pacifism and her influential work paved the way for future generations of peace activists and continue to inspire efforts to achieve a more peaceful world.
