Justus Cornelias Dirks facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Cor Dirks
|
|
|---|---|
| Personal details | |
| Born |
Justus Cornelias Dirks
February 28, 1911 Volksrust, Transvaal, South Africa |
| Died | October 15, 2001 (aged 90) Johannesburg, Gauteng, South Africa |
| Spouse | Elsje Christina van Niekerk |
| Children | 2 |
| Alma mater | Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education |
| Known for | Youth fiction writer |
Justus Cornelias Dirks, often known as Cor Dirks, was a well-known author from South Africa. He wrote many exciting books, especially for young people. He was also a dedicated teacher for most of his life.
Contents
School and University Life
Cor Dirks finished high school in 1928 at Volksrust High School. After that, he went to Potchefstroom University for Christian Higher Education. He studied there from 1929 to 1937. During his time at university, he earned degrees in History and English. He also received a special diploma that allowed him to become a teacher.
Cor Dirks' Teaching Career
After finishing his studies, Cor Dirks became a teacher. He taught at different schools from 1934 to 1973. He worked in towns like Duiwelskloof, Potchefstroom, Belfast, Boksburg, and Johannesburg.
He was the Vice-Headmaster (a senior teacher who helps the headmaster) at Voortrekker High School in Boksburg. Later, he became the Headmaster (the main leader) of Linden High School in Johannesburg. He led Linden High School for 18 years.
His Amazing Writing Work
Besides teaching, Cor Dirks was a very busy writer. He wrote many short stories for popular magazines and newspapers. Some of these included Die Jongspan, Die Naweek, Die Brandwag, Die Huisgenoot, Die Huisvrou, Die Ruiter, and 10-Plus.
He also wrote for television and radio.
- On the very first day that television started in South Africa in 1976, a drama he wrote was shown. It was called Die Dubbele Alibi, which means The Double Alibi.
- He also wrote a radio series called Die Honde van Donkerkrans (The Dogs of Dark Cliff). This series was broadcast on the radio in 1976.
Books Written by Cor Dirks
Cor Dirks wrote many books, especially adventure stories for young readers. Many of his books were part of popular series, like "The Owls" and "Joof and his Friends."
| Year | Title | Title translated | Part of a series | Reference |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1946 | As Die Galg Dreig | If Death Threatens | No | |
| 1947 | Arendnes se Moordenaar | Eagle Nest's Murderer | No | |
| 1948 | Hoefslag van Die Dood | The Sound of Death | No | |
| 1949 | Die Uile van Kranskop | Owls of Kranskop | Yes | |
| 1950 | Bloed in die Weste | Blood in the west | No | |
| 1950 | Moord Wek Moord | Murder creates Murder | No | |
| 1950 | Wadda van die Woestyn | Wadda from the Desert | No | |
| 1950 | Die Uile en die Rampokkers | The owls and the Gangsters | Yes | |
| 1951 | Arend van As | Arend van As | No | |
| 1953 | Breuk Onder die Uile | The Owls Split Up | Yes | |
| 1954 | Die Uile in die Wildtuin | The Owls in the Game Reserve | Yes | |
| 1956 | Ghoerie die Musketeer | Ghoerie the Musketeer | No | |
| 1956 | Die Uile in die Kalahari | The Owls in the Kalahari | Yes | |
| 1957 | Die Uile en die Verlore Stad | The Owls and the Lost city | Yes | |
| 1958 | Die Uile langs die Limpopo | The Owls next to Limpopo | Yes | |
| 1959 | Die Uile by die See | The Owls by the Sea | Yes | |
| 1961 | Die Uile in die Wapad | The Owls on the Wagon Trail | Yes | |
| 1965 | Vyf Uile en ’n Tier | Five Owls and a Tiger | Yes | |
| 1966 | Rooi Oog, Geel Oog | Red Eye, Yellow Eye | No | |
| 1966 | Die Uile in die Gimnasium | The Owls in the Gymnasium | Yes | |
| 1971 | Ben Opperman van Hoogland | Ben Opperman from Hoogland | NO | |
| 1971 | Die Uile in Mosambiek | The Owls in Mozambique | Yes | |
| 1976 | Die Smits gaan See toe | The Smits go to Sea | No | |
| 1977 | Joof van Doringkop | Joof from Doringkop | Yes | |
| 1979 | Joof en sy Maats by Doringspruit | Joof and his Friends at Doring Fountain | Yes | |
| 1980 | Joof en sy Maats in Etosha | Joof and his Friends at Etosha | Yes | |
| 1981 | Joof en sy Maats op Doringkruin | Joof and his Friends in Doring Kroon | Yes | |
| 1981 | Joof en sy Maats Onder die Koeëls | Joof and his Friends Under Fire | Yes | |
| 1981 | Die Otters | The Otters | Yes | |
| 1983 | Joof en sy Maats se Bergavontuur | Joof and his Friends' Mountain Adventure | Yes | |
| 1983 | Joof en sy Maats in Tongaland | Joof and his Friends in Tonga Land | Yes | |
| 1983 | Joof en sy Maats: Platina uit Wes-Transvaal | Joof and his Friends : Platinum from Wetrsren Transvaal | Yes | |
| 1983 | Die Otters op die Bosveldplaas | The Otters on the Bosveld Farm | Yes | |
| 1983 | Die Otters se koshuisstreke | The Otters in the Schools hostel | Yes | |
| 1984 | Die Otters en die Huis op die Krans | The Otters and the House on the Cliff | Yes | |
| 1985 | Die Otters se Fietstoer | The Otters' Cycle Tour | Yes | |
| 1986 | Die Otters en die Skateiland van die Seychelles | The Otters and the Treasure Island of Seychelles | Yes | |
| 1988 | Joof en sy Maats en die Ivoordiewe | Joof and his Friends and the Ivory Thieves | Yes | |
| 1988 | Die Otters se Veldskoolavonture | The Otters' School Trip Adventures | Yes | |
| 1989 | Die Otters in die Okavango-moeras | The Otters in the Okavango | Yes | |
| 1990 | Die Uile Vlieg Weer | The Owls Fly Again | Yes |
Note: "The Owls" and "The Otters" refer to groups of friends and their adventures. Joof is a boy’s name.
Awards and Recognition
Cor Dirks was honored for his important work.
- Linden High School, where he was headmaster, named a building after him. This shows how much they respected him.
- In 1999, he received a special academic award. This was at the Aardklop Art Festival in Potchefstroom. He earned this award for his great contribution to children's literature.
