Ernest Claes

Ernest Claes
BornAndreas Ernestus Josephus Claes
(1885-10-24)24 October 1885
Zichem, Belgium
Died2 September 1968(1968-09-02) (aged 82)
Elsene, Belgium
Pen nameG. van Hasselt
OccupationPlaywright, novelist
Notable worksDe vulgaire geschiedenis van Charelke Dop, De Witte
SpouseStephanie Vetter

Andreas Ernestus Josephus Claes (24 October 1885 in Zichem – 2 September 1968 in Elsene) was a Belgian author.[1] He is best known for his regional novels, including De Witte ("Whitey"), which was the source material for the first Flemish sound film: De Witte (1920). In 1980 it was remade as De Witte van Sichem by Robbe De Hert.[2]

Statue of Ernest Claes & De Witte in Zichem, Belgium

Claes' novels were also adapted into the popular TV series Wij, Heren van Zichem (1969–1972)[3] or miniseries as De vulgaire geschiedenis van Charelke Dop (1985).[4]

Some of his works are written under the pseudonym G. van Hasselt.

He married the Dutch-born writer Stephanie Vetter.

  1. ^ "Ernest Claes: 'Van goeie mensen kun je zo weinig interessants vertellen'". HUMO (in Dutch). 28 September 1967.
  2. ^ "Zelem, ons dorp".
  3. ^ "Zelem, ons dorp".
  4. ^ https://www.imdb.com/title/tt0253918/?ref_=nv_sr_srsg_0 De vulgaire geschiedenis van Charelke Dop on IMDB.COM [user-generated source]