Biography

Simon Vestdijk (17 October 1898 – 23 March 1971) was a Dutch writer and poet. He was nominated for the Nobel prize in literature fifteen times. Born in the Frisian town of Harlingen, Vestdijk studied medicine in Amsterdam, but turned to literature after a few years as a doctor. He became one of the most important 20th-century writers in the Netherlands. His prolificness as a novelist was legendary, but he was at least as important as an essayist on e.g., literature, religion, art, and music in particular. He also wrote poetry and short stories. His work has been translated into several European languages.