Elna de Stiernholm

Violinist. Wife of Ove Gude, Norwegian Ambassador to the United States.

In English

The following is from "The Death of Ove Gude," published in the July 1910 edition of The American Scandinavian:

... Mr. Gude came to Washington as envoy extraordinary and minister plenipotentiary representing Norway in April 1908, bringing with him his interesting young wife -- his second -- to whom he was married about six years ago. ... The minister was a democratic, broad-minded man, and encouraged, rather than discouraged, the interest which his wife and daughters have taken in politics and the study of civics. ... Mme. Gude was Mlle. Elna de Stiernholm, daughter of General de Stiernholm, who served for many years as military governor in Copenhagen, where Mme. Gude was born.
It was through her talent as a violinist that Miss Stiernholm became acquainted with M. Gude. At one time he was ambitious to appear in opera, as he had a splendid voice which was well cultivated. His family were strongly opposed to his being a public singer, and secured him a birth in the Foreign Office. While minister from Norway and Sweden at Copenhagen he met his present wife. She had made the violin her study for years, and her brilliant performances attracted the music-loving minister. Both he and Mme. Gude made a specialty of Norse music, and often delighted their guests with their interpretation of it with voices and instruments. Despite their many official duties and private inclinations, they devoted much of their time to the amelioration of the Norse race in this country, and have ever been ready with welcoming hands to greet their countrymen, whether poor or rich.

Source:

• "The Death of Ove Gude." The American Scandinavian, July 1910, p. 8. < https://books.google.com/books?id=jUqlGgurM-AC > Accessed 14 August 2016.