Marlitt, Eugenie, pseudonym of Eugenie John (Arnstadt, 1825-87, Arnstadt), who was one of the most successful writers of serial novels in the periodical Die Gartenlaube. She was trained as a singer but had to abandon this career in consequence of a defect of hearing. For many years she was companion to a princess of Schwarzburg-Sondershausen. In 1863 she returned to Arnstadt and began an active career as a writer of light novels. These include Goldelse (1867), the success of which secured her financial independence, Das Geheimnis der alten Mamsell (2 vols., 1868), Die Reichsgräfin Gisela (2 vols., 1869), Das Haideprinzeßchen (2 vols., 1872), Die zweite Frau (2 vols., 1874), Im Hause des Kommerzienrats (1877), Im Schillingshof (1879), Amtmanns Magd (1880), Die Frau mit den Karfunkelsteinen (2 vols., 1885), and Das Eulenhaus, which was completed by W. Heimburg (1888). She also wrote Novellen (Thüringer Erzählungen, 1869). Though unoriginal and stereotyped in character portrayal, she was a skilful narrator, who, clearly aware of contemporary moves promoting the emancipation of women, was more intent on popular success. She had a talent for the description of landscape. Her collected works (10 vols.) appeared 1886-90.

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