Summary (1994)
Jacob Israel De Haan (1881-1924) is a controversial author from the Netherlands. Internationally known and debated are his actions in Palestine, where he resided from 1919 till his demise.
Up to now, little was known about De Haan. This study contains the publication of all his letters of the period 1899-1908, and offers much information in this regard. Included are letters to and from Lodewijk Van Deyssel, Frederik Van Eeden, Georges Eekhoud, Frank Van Der Goes, J. De Koo, Herman Robbers, Arnold Saalborn, Albert Verwey, and Henri Wiessing. Of these correspondents, Frederik Van Eeden and Georges Eekhoud are of international renown.
The main text of this publication features letters by De Haan and, much less numerous, letters to De Haan of the time period between 1899 and 1908. In 1899, De Haan was studying at a teacher training college in Haarlem. In 1908, his second and last long novel, Pathologieën, appeared.
Included is all that is normally considered a letter, as well as postcards and writing on picture cards. Not included are clippings, poems, or other items De Haan enclosed in some of the letters. Excluded also is the Open brief aan P.L. Tak ("Open letter to Mr. P.L. Tak") even though De Haan enclosed it in a letter to Georges Eekhoud later.
The material is presented in chronological order and provided with commentary.
The appendix to this publication features the later parts of some of the letter exchanges mentioned above inasmuch as these extend beyond 1908. This material is ordered by correspondent.
The original punctuation was retained, even where this may puzzle the reader. Errors in the original correspondence were not corrected. Where some editing could not be avoided, this is clearly indicated.
The general reader who has some interest in De Haan and his work was kept in mind while formulating the commentary. Commentary regarding De Haan and his immediate surroundings is added in the form of a running text as much as possible. Other comments and items of information are included in notes at the end of every chapter.
This publication provides a deeper understanding of the life and writing of Jacob Israel De Haan. In addition, it sheds additional light on this particular period in the cultural history of the Netherlands.
Auteursrechtelijk beschermd