Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft facts for kids
Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft (born March 16, 1581 – died May 21, 1647) was an important Dutch writer. He was a historian, a poet, and a playwright (someone who writes plays). He lived during a special time in Dutch history called the Dutch Golden Age, when art and science were very popular.
Contents
Life Story of P.C. Hooft
Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft, often called P.C. Hooft, was born in Amsterdam. He came from an important family, and his father, Cornelis Hooft, was the city's mayor. Pieter was also the uncle of two other important statesmen and mayors, Cornelis de Graeff and Andries de Graeff.
In 1598, Pieter's father sent him to France and Italy. This trip was meant to prepare him for a job as a merchant. However, Pieter was much more interested in art and writing. He was very impressed by the beautiful art and ideas of the Italian Renaissance.
In 1609, Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft became the bailiff (a type of sheriff or local official) of Muiden and the Gooiland area. This job allowed him to live in the famous Muiderslot castle. At the castle, he started a special group called the Muiderkring. This was a literary society where writers, poets, and artists met. Famous members included Constantijn Huygens, Maria Tesselschade, G.A. Bredero, and Joost van den Vondel. A Portuguese singer named Francisca Duarte was also part of the group.
What P.C. Hooft Wrote
P.C. Hooft wrote many plays, poems, and letters. From 1618 onwards, he spent most of his time writing a history book about the Netherlands. This book was called Nederduytsche Historiën. He was inspired by a Roman historian named Gaius Cornelius Tacitus.
Hooft's history book mainly focused on the Eighty Years' War. This was a long war between the Netherlands and Spain. He tried very hard to be fair and unbiased in his writing. As a poet, he was influenced by other writers from the Renaissance in France and Italy.
Famous Plays by Hooft
- Geeraerdt van Velsen (1613)
- Achilles en Polyxena (1614)
- Theseus en Ariane (1614)
- Granida (1615)
- Warenar (1616)
- Baeto, oft oorsprong der Holanderen (1626)
Poetry Collections
- Emblemata amatoria: afbeeldingen van minne (1611)
Historical Writings
- Nederduytsche Historiën (1642-1656)
P.C. Hooft's Legacy Today
Even today, Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft is remembered in the Netherlands. In Amsterdam, there is a famous street named after him, called P.C. Hooftstraat. This street is known for its expensive designer clothes shops. The end of P.C. Hooftstraat leads into the city's main park, the Vondelpark. This park is named after his friend, the poet Joost van den Vondel. Many other Dutch cities also have streets named after Hooft, often called P.C. Hooftstraat or Pieter C. Hooftstraat.
In 1947, exactly 300 years after P.C. Hooft passed away, a special literary award was created in his name. This award is called the P. C. Hooft Award. The Dutch government started it, and an independent group gives out the prize every year. At first, the award was given for specific books. But now, it is given to a writer for all of their work.
Gallery
-
Sculpture of P.C. Hooft in the castle Muiderslot
-
Sculptor Frits Sieger with bust of P.C. Hooft. Amsterdam; March 22, 1947
-
Gable stone of P.C. Hooft above his former house. Made by Eduard Colinet, 1881
See also
In Spanish: Pieter Corneliszoon Hooft para niños
