Simon Carmiggelt facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Simon Carmiggelt
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Carmiggelt in 1973
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| Born | 7 October 1913 The Hague, Netherlands |
| Died | 30 November 1987 (aged 74) Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Pen name | Kronkel, Karel Bralleput. |
| Occupation | Columnist, journalist, poet |
| Nationality | Dutch |
| Genre | Column, short story |
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Simon Carmiggelt (born October 7, 1913 – died November 30, 1987) was a famous Dutch writer and journalist. He was also a poet. People in the Netherlands knew him well. This was because of his daily newspaper stories and his TV shows.
Contents
A Writer's Early Life
Simon Johannes Carmiggelt was born in The Hague, Netherlands. This was on October 7, 1913. He was the second son of Herman Carmiggelt and Adriana Bik. He had an older brother named Jan. Simon didn't do well in school. He left high school in 1929. But he loved being an editor for the school newspaper. He decided he wanted to be a journalist.
Starting His Career
After different editing jobs, Simon became a reporter. He worked for the newspaper Het Volk ("The People"). This paper was known for its socialist ideas. Later, he became a drama critic for the same paper. He wrote short stories about everyday life in The Hague. He called these stories Kleinigheden, which means "Trifles."
In 1939, Simon married Tiny de Goey. A year later, their daughter Marianne was born. In the same year, his first book of Kleinigheden was published. It was called Vijftig dwaasheden ("Fifty Follies").
World War II and Its Impact
When Nazi Germany invaded the Netherlands in 1940, Het Volk newspaper was taken over. The new owners censored what could be printed. Carmiggelt decided to leave the paper. During World War II, he did many small jobs. But he secretly joined the Dutch resistance. He worked for an underground newspaper called Het Parool ("The Password"). He helped with the design and printing of the paper. He also wrote some stories for Het Parool.
A Personal Loss
In 1943, during the German occupation of the Netherlands, Simon's brother Jan was arrested. The Nazis arrested him for helping people hide. Jan was sent to a concentration camp. He sadly died there on September 26, 1943. Jan's death deeply affected Simon. It caused him great sadness that stayed with him for the rest of his life.
Becoming "Kronkel"
After the war, Simon started writing columns again for Het Parool. He signed these columns with a special pen name: Kronkel. This name means "Twist" or "Kink." His "Kronkels" became very famous. They were known for being a bit sad or thoughtful. They often used formal language in a funny way.
Many of his columns were about people he met in cafes and bars. These people were often a bit unsuccessful or disappointed. They would tell Simon about their lives. Simon also wrote about his children and later his grandchildren. He wrote about his cats and other small things that happened in his life. His work became very popular. He won several important Dutch literary awards.
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Later Years and Legacy
Carmiggelt published his last "Kronkel" column in 1983. He died of a heart attack on November 30, 1987.
A year after he passed away, a statue of Carmiggelt was placed near his old house in Amsterdam. Another statue of him and his wife on a park bench was placed near his summer home in De Steeg. This statue was stolen in 2012. It was later found in pieces. The sculptor, Wik Kuijl, put it back together. It was put back in its original spot in 2013.
Simon Carmiggelt is remembered for his unique way of writing. He captured the small, everyday moments of life. He made readers think and feel.
Images for kids
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Simon Carmiggelt's signature
