Godfried Bomans facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Godfried Bomans
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Bomans in 1965
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| Born | Godfried Jan Arnold Bomans 2 March 1913 The Hague, Netherlands |
| Died | 22 December 1971 (aged 58) Bloemendaal, Netherlands |
| Occupation | Writer |
| Language | Dutch |
| Alma mater | University of Amsterdam |
| Years active | 1936–1971 |
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Godfried Jan Arnold Bomans (born March 2, 1913 – died December 22, 1971) was a famous Dutch writer and TV personality. He wrote many books, but most of them have not been translated into English.
Contents
Life and Career of Godfried Bomans
Godfried Bomans was born in The Hague, Netherlands. He grew up near Haarlem, where his father worked as a lawyer.
Early Interest in Writing
Even when he was in high school, Godfried loved to write. He became an editor for school newspapers. He also published short stories in magazines for students and writers.
He first studied law at the University of Amsterdam. Later, he studied psychology and philosophy. But he spent his whole life writing stories and books.
Helping Others During Wartime
In 1943, he stopped his studies and moved back to Haarlem. During World War II, he helped save Jewish people from danger. Because of his brave actions, he received a special award called Righteous Among the Nations. This award honors non-Jewish people who saved Jews during the Holocaust.
His Famous Books and Humor
Godfried Bomans is best known for his modern fairy tales. He also wrote short, funny pieces. These stories were full of clever jokes, playful imitations (parody), and gentle humor (irony).
One of his most famous fantasy books is Erik, or the Little Insect Book (1940). Many people read this book during the German occupation of the Netherlands. In 2004, it was even made into a movie!
After the war, he became very popular for his funny stories about Pa Pinkelman and Tante Pollewop. These adventures were published in newspapers and later as books. They were illustrated by Carol Voges.
Besides fairy tales and funny books, Bomans also wrote many essays and reviews. He even wrote an interesting travel book about Rome called Wandelingen door Rome (Walks Through Rome).
A Media Star
Godfried Bomans was one of the first writers in the Netherlands to appear often on television. He became a "media personality," which was a new thing in the 1950s and 1960s. He often appeared on TV as a funny and clever person on discussion shows and game shows. This made him very popular with the public.
One famous TV moment happened in 1963. Bomans was at an awards show with the famous singer Marlene Dietrich. He told a funny story about admiring her legs, which made everyone laugh. He was also well-known for his Sinterklaas stories and for pretending to be Sinterklaas.
Love for Charles Dickens
Godfried Bomans greatly admired the works of the English writer Charles Dickens. In 1956, he helped start the Haarlem branch of the Dickens Fellowship. This group celebrates Dickens's books. Bomans later became a special honorary member of the main Dickens Fellowship in London.
His Passing
Godfried Bomans passed away on December 22, 1971, in Bloemendaal. He was 58 years old. He was buried in the Sint-Adelbertskerkhof cemetery.
Legacy of Godfried Bomans
Remembering His Work
In 1972, the Godfried Bomans Genootschap (Godfried Bomans Society) was created. This group helps keep his memory and his writings alive.
An Asteroid Named After Him
In 2009, the International Astronomical Union (IAU) named an asteroid "Bomans." This asteroid, number 23404, was found in 1972. It was named after Godfried Bomans to honor his contributions.
Selected Works
Here are some of Godfried Bomans's well-known books:
- Memoires of gedenkschriften van minister Pieter Bas, 1937
- Wonderlijke Nachten (Wonderful/Wondrous Nights)
- Erik of het klein insectenboek, 1940 (Erik, or the Little Insect Book). This book was translated into English as Eric in the Land of the Insects. It also inspired the movie Erik of het klein insectenboek (2004).
- Sprookjes, 1946 (Fairy Tales). Some of these were translated as The Wily Wizard and the Wicked Witch and other weird stories.
- Kopstukken, 1947
- Pim, Frits en Ida (an eight-book series for children, with four translated into English)
- Dickens, waar zijn uw spoken?, 1972 (published after he died, this book is a collection of his articles about Dickens)
