Nicolaas Beets

Nicolaas Beets studied at Leiden University. The recorded working language is Dutch. Employment is recorded with Utrecht University. Positions recorded include rector of Utrecht University. Work by Nicolaas Beets is recorded in the collections of Stedelijk Museum Zutphen, Geldersch Landschap en Kasteelen, Regionaal Archief Rivierenland, National Museum Paleis het Loo and Anne Frank House. Distinctions recorded are Commander of the Order of the Netherlands Lion.

• Name — Nicolas Beets • Pen Name — Hildebrand • Born — 13 September 1814 • Birthplace — Haarlem, Netherlands • Died — 13 March 1903 • Place of death — Utrecht, Netherlands • Occupation — Protestant minister • Subject — Short autobiographical stories • Notable Works — Camera Obscura

Nicolaas Beets was born in Haarlem, the son of a pharmacist. From 1833 till 1839 he studied theology at the university of Leiden where he received his doctorate. In 1840 he became a minister at the Dutch Reformed Church in Heemstede. In 1848 he became correspondent of the Royal Institute of the Netherlands, when that became the Royal Netherlands Academy of Arts and Sciences in 1851 he joined as member. In 1854 he moved to Utrecht where from 1874 till 1884 he was a professor in church history at the University of Utrecht. He wrote prose, poetry and sermons. As a poet, Beets came under the influence of Byronism. His most famous work is Camera Obscura, which he wrote under his pseudonym during his student years. Of his poems, "De moerbeitoppen ruischten" is well-known and popular; it is heavily anthologized, and even called "immortal" by one critic. The archive of Nicolaas Beets is available at Leiden University Library and is digitally accessible.

• Illustration — Hildebrand Monument in Haarlemmerhout, Haarlem, with characters from the Camera Obscura. Created by Jan Bonner in 1947 and placed in Haarlem in 1962 In 1840 he married Aleida van Foreest, granddaughter of Johannes Hendricus van der Palm, with whom he had 9 children. In 1859 he remarried with Jacoba Elisabeth, a sister of Aleida, with whom he had another 6 children. Beets had a sister, Dora Beets, who was also a writer. Beets died of a brain haemorrhage at age 88, in Utrecht.

He also worked under the name Hildebrand. The authorities additionally record the headings Hildebrand, Nicolaus Beets, Nikolaos Beets, Nikolaus Beets and Nikolass Beets. His recorded language was Dutch. His recorded confession was Protestantism. He married Aleida van Foreest and Jacoba Elisabeth van Foreest.

Nicolaas Beets is recorded as having received Commander of the Order of the Netherlands Lion.