Willem de Mérode
Encyclopedia
Willem de Mérode is the pseudonym of Dutch poet Willem Eduard Keuning.
He started writing at the age of fifteen. The work of Merode is considered to be the most important Christian work between both World Wars. Merode was a subtle man, deeply religious. He was a teacher at the primary school in Uithuizermeeden
(1907/1924). He explored many different genres of writing, using a different pseudonym for every style. The extent of the poetry of Willem de Mérode is unbeatable. He wrote over 2.300 poems in his live, however, he never published all of them. His sexuality made him controversial, especially in religious environment. Nevertheless, he is considered to be one of the major christian poets in the period between both world wars. His poems show his struggle between his love for boys and his religion.
In 1924 he was accused of sexual misconduct with a boy at the school where he taught. Although this was never proven, the authorities convicted him, and he served a year in jail as a result. This prison time hurt him deeply. Nevertheless, he wrote his best work during and after his sentence.
Towards the end of his life, in 1936, he was awarded the Oranje-Nassau Order of Knighthood, a royal decoration. As it appears this may have been unjustified in that sense, that the minister was not aware of his pas sentence at that time.
Willem de Mérode loved to travel and see art. He visited several cities, amoungst them Paris, Rome, Venice and München, however, travelling was very demanding for someone like him. He was always wrestling with his health. In 1939, after a poetic mood during which he wrote over 70 poems, he became very ill and he died. Willem de Merode/Willem Eduard Keuning is buried in Eerbeek, a small village in the middle of Holland where he had spent most of his years after his devastating prison time. A small memorial has been placed in a parc in Uithuizermeeden in 1987 in his remembrance. In Eerbeek as well as in Uithuizermeeden a street was named after him (i.e. Willem de Mérodestraat).
So far, around 40 of his poems were translated into English. These translations (by Hans Osinga) may be found on the website about this poet.
He started writing at the age of fifteen. The work of Merode is considered to be the most important Christian work between both World Wars. Merode was a subtle man, deeply religious. He was a teacher at the primary school in Uithuizermeeden
Uithuizermeeden
Uithuizermeeden is a small village in the Netherlands, with a population of about 3200 people. It is part of the municipality of Eemsmond, close to the Wadden Sea....
(1907/1924). He explored many different genres of writing, using a different pseudonym for every style. The extent of the poetry of Willem de Mérode is unbeatable. He wrote over 2.300 poems in his live, however, he never published all of them. His sexuality made him controversial, especially in religious environment. Nevertheless, he is considered to be one of the major christian poets in the period between both world wars. His poems show his struggle between his love for boys and his religion.
In 1924 he was accused of sexual misconduct with a boy at the school where he taught. Although this was never proven, the authorities convicted him, and he served a year in jail as a result. This prison time hurt him deeply. Nevertheless, he wrote his best work during and after his sentence.
Towards the end of his life, in 1936, he was awarded the Oranje-Nassau Order of Knighthood, a royal decoration. As it appears this may have been unjustified in that sense, that the minister was not aware of his pas sentence at that time.
Willem de Mérode loved to travel and see art. He visited several cities, amoungst them Paris, Rome, Venice and München, however, travelling was very demanding for someone like him. He was always wrestling with his health. In 1939, after a poetic mood during which he wrote over 70 poems, he became very ill and he died. Willem de Merode/Willem Eduard Keuning is buried in Eerbeek, a small village in the middle of Holland where he had spent most of his years after his devastating prison time. A small memorial has been placed in a parc in Uithuizermeeden in 1987 in his remembrance. In Eerbeek as well as in Uithuizermeeden a street was named after him (i.e. Willem de Mérodestraat).
So far, around 40 of his poems were translated into English. These translations (by Hans Osinga) may be found on the website about this poet.
Sources
- Hans Werkman: Bitterzoete overvloed. De wereld van Willem de Mérode, Aspekt, Soesterberg 2011, ISBN 978-94-6153039-4
- Hans Werkman: De Mérode en de jongens, De Prom, Baarn 1991, ISBN 90-6801-287-8
- Helma de Boer: www.willemdemerode.nl, digital information center about Willem de Mérode