I. Konrad Ernst, a German comedian, regarded as one of the founders of the German stage, born in Schwerin in 1710, died in Hamburg, Nov. 13, 1771. In 1740 he made his debut as an actor under the auspices of Schonemann, and afterward organized a travelling company, with which he performed in many places. He is celebrated as the founder of the Hamburg theatre (1765), whose performances inspired Lessing's famous comments on dramatic art.

II. Sophie Charlotte, wife of the preceding (1749), previously widow of the organist Schroder, born in Berlin in 1714, died Oct. 14, 1792. She was not only distinguished as an accomplished actress both in tragedy and comedy, and teacher of the histrionic art, but also as the mother by her first marriage of Friedrich Ludwig Schroder (see Scheodee), and of two daughters by her second marriage, also very distinguished: I)o-eothea, who retired from the stage in 1778 on marrying Prof. Unzer, and Chaelotte, whose death in 1775, in her 18th year, was generally deplored at Hamburg.