Hella Haasse

1918 - 2011

photo credits: Wikimedia Commons

country of citizenship: Kingdom of the Netherlands

native language: Dutch

languages spoken, written or signed: Dutch

educated at: University of Amsterdam

occupation: writer, playwright, poet

award received: P.C. Hooft Award, Constantijn Huygens Prize, Prijs der Nederlandse Letteren, Dr. J.P. van Praag-prijs, Opzij Literature prize, Dirk Martensprijs, Littéraire Witte Award, Prijs van de Stichting Kunstenaarsverzet, Publieksprijs voor het Nederlandse Boek, ANV-Visser Neerlandia prize for drama, honorary doctor of the University of Utrecht, Officer of the Legion of Honour, Commandeur des Arts et des Lettres‎, Officer of Arts and Letters

official website: www.hellahaasse.nl

Hélène "Hella" Serafia Haasse (2 February 1918 – 29 September 2011) was a Dutch writer, often referred to as the "Grande Dame" of Dutch literature, and whose novel Oeroeg (1948) was a staple for generations of Dutch schoolchildren. Her internationally acclaimed magnum opus is Heren van de Thee, translated to The Tea Lords. In 1988 Haasse was chosen to interview the Dutch Queen for her 50th birthday after which celebrated Dutch author Adriaan van Dis called Haasse "the Queen among authors".Haasse has the first Dutch digital online museum dedicated to the life and work of an author. The museum was opened in 2008 on her 90th birthday.Haasse has an asteroid named after her. Source: Wikipedia (en)