Gerrit Kalff Dutch literary historian Date of Birth: 30.06.1856 Country: Netherlands

1. Early Life and Education
2. Military Service and Teaching
3. Academic Career
4. Honors and Recognition
5. Literary Works
6. "History of Dutch Literature in the Sixteenth Century" (1889-1906)
7. "Essays on Dutch Poets of the Seventeenth Century" (1901)
8. Posthumous Publication

Early Life and Education

Gerardus Johannes Petrus Josephus Kalff was born into a merchant family in Zwolle, Netherlands. He completed his education at the gymnasium and lyceum in Zwolle and Amsterdam, respectively, before enrolling in Leiden University in 1875. Under the guidance of W. J. A. Jonckbloet, Kalff pursued his academic interests in literature.

Military Service and Teaching

After graduating from Leiden University, Kalff served for a year in the military. He subsequently embarked on a teaching career at the gymnasium in Haarlem and the commercial school in Amsterdam. In 1883, he received his doctorate from Leiden University with his dissertation, "The Song in the Middle Ages."

Academic Career

Following his doctoral studies, Kalff continued teaching at the gymnasium in Amsterdam. From 1896 to 1901, he was a professor at Utrecht University. In 1901, he returned to Leiden University, where he remained until his death. From 1917 to 1918, he served as the University's rector.

Honors and Recognition

Kalff's contributions to academia and the arts were widely recognized. In 1911, he became a member of the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences. A year later, he was knighted in the Order of the Netherlands Lion.

Literary Works

Kalff's research focused primarily on Dutch literature and theater history. His most notable works include:

"History of Dutch Literature in the Sixteenth Century" (1889-1906)

"Literature and Theater in Amsterdam in the Seventeenth Century" (1895)

"Essays on Dutch Poets of the Seventeenth Century" (1901)

In addition to these, Kalff wrote biographies of Jacob Cats and Joost van den Vondel, and conducted a detailed investigation of the legend of the Flying Dutchman.

Posthumous Publication

Kalff's final work, "Western European Literature," was published posthumously in two volumes (1923-1924). This comprehensive study included a biographical sketch of the author.