Annie M.G. Schmidt

Annie M.G. Schmidt
Portrait of Annie M.G. Schmidt
Schmidt in 1984
BornAnna Maria Geertruida Schmidt
(1911-05-20)20 May 1911
Kapelle, Netherlands
Died21 May 1995(1995-05-21) (aged 84)
Amsterdam, Netherlands
Resting placeZorgvliet, Amstelveen, Netherlands
OccupationWriter, librarian
LanguageDutch
NationalityDutch
Educationlibrarian
Period1947–1989
GenreChildren's literature, poetry, lyrics, comedy/drama, radio/television
Notable works
Notable awardsHans Christian Andersen Award for Writing
1988
PartnerDick van Duijn (1950–1981)
ChildrenFlip van Duijn (born 1952)
Signature
Website
www.annie-mg.com

Anna Maria Geertruida "Annie" Schmidt (20 May 1911[1] – 21 May 1995)[2] was a Dutch writer.[3] She is called the mother of the Dutch theatrical song,[4] and the queen of Dutch children's literature,[5] praised for her "delicious Dutch idiom,"[6] and considered one of the greatest Dutch writers.[2] An ultimate honour was extended to her posthumously, in 2007, when a group of Dutch historians compiled the "Canon of the Netherlands" and included Schmidt, alongside national icons such as Vincent van Gogh and Anne Frank.[7]

Although Schmidt wrote poetry, songs, books, plays, musicals, and radio and television drama for adults, she is known best for children's books. Her best-known work for children may be the series Jip and Janneke. Many of her books, such as Pluk van de Petteflet, were illustrated by Fiep Westendorp.

Schmidt received the 1988 Hans Christian Andersen Medal for her lasting contribution as a children's writer. The biennial award conferred by the International Board on Books for Young People is the highest recognition available to a writer or illustrator of children's books.[8][9]

By the time she died in 1995, she was an icon of the Dutch literary world. Her death, caused by euthanasia, continues to be referenced in the Dutch media and played an important role in discussions of euthanasia.[10]

  1. ^ Zijl, Annejet van der (2002). Anna. Amsterdam: Nijgh & Van Ditmar. p. 22. ISBN 90-388-8733-7.
  2. ^ a b Verhallen, Frank (22 May 1995). "Annie M.G. Schmidt 1911–1995". Trouw (in Dutch). Archived from the original on 26 September 2012. Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  3. ^ Peter Hunt; Sheila G. Bannister Ray (2004). International Companion Encyclopedia of Children's Literature. Roudledge. p. 703. ISBN 978-0-203-16812-7.
  4. ^ Verhallen, Frank (5 April 1993). "Evergreen and chanson schitteren op Dag van het Nederlandse lied". Trouw (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  5. ^ Duin, Lieke van (4 January 1995). "Olifanten hadden vroeger neuzen". Trouw (in Dutch). Retrieved 5 July 2009.
  6. ^ Cite error: The named reference buijs was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  7. ^ "The Canon of the Netherlands". De Canon van Nederland. Foundation entoen.nu. 2007. Archived from the original on 12 June 2009. Retrieved 10 July 2009.
  8. ^ Cite error: The named reference andersen was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  9. ^ Cite error: The named reference ibby-schmidt was invoked but never defined (see the help page).
  10. ^ Cite error: The named reference discussions-of-euthanasia was invoked but never defined (see the help page).