Die Wahlverwandtschaften
Most of the famous authors of the time became his clients, and his home was a gathering place for the cultural community. Within a year, he had opened his own printing shop and married Johanna Wesselhöfft (1765–1830), with whom he had a son and raised a foster daughter, Wilhelmine Herzlieb ("Minna"), who became a favorite of Goethe. She is said to have inspired the character of "Ottilie" in his "Elective Affinities", as well as several sonnets.