Anton Bergmann ( Lier, 29 June 1835 – Lier, 21 January 1874) was a

Belgian Belgian may refer to: * Something of, or related to, Belgium * Belgians, people from Belgium or of Belgian descent * Languages of Belgium, languages spoken in Belgium, such as Dutch, French, and German *Ancient Belgian language, an extinct languag ...

writer and a liberal Flemish activist. Already during his youth he was fond of Dutch literature, and together with Julius Vuylsteke, he was a member of 't zal wel gaan, a Flemish cultural and

liberal Liberal or liberalism may refer to: Politics * a supporter of liberalism ** Liberalism by country * an adherent of a Liberal Party * Liberalism (international relations) * Sexually liberal feminism * Social liberalism Arts, entertainment and m ...

organization. After he graduated from humaniora (E: highschool), he went to the

University of Ghent Ghent University ( nl, Universiteit Gent, abbreviated as UGent) is a public research university located in Ghent, Belgium. Established before the state of Belgium itself, the university was founded by the Dutch King William I in 1817, when the ...

, where he obtained a bachelor's degree in literature, law and notary. Afterwards he attended the Vrije Hogeschool van Brussel (E: Free University of Brussels), where he obtained a doctorate in law in 1858. In the meantime he was very active as a writer and as an historian. He wrote a study on ''Philips van Marnix van Sint Aldegonde, plundering der hoofdkerk van Lier'' (E: Philips van Marnix van Sint Aldegonde, the looting of the main church of Lier). A Royal Decree of 17 June 1857 awarded to Anton Bergmann the five-year price of Dutch literatur for the period 1870–1874. In 1858, he established himself as a lawyer in Lier, where he married Eliza Van Acker. His career as a lawyer left little time for writing, but he spent his spare time on literature and history. He became a member of the Flemish cultural organization the

Willemsfonds The Willemsfonds, named after Jan Frans Willems, is a non-profit cultural organisation founded in the 19th century to promote Flemish culture and language in Belgium. In order to achieve this goal, the organisation encouraged Flemish folk song, or ...

, and he founded the weekly magazine ''De Lierenaar''. In 1870, he published two ''Rijnlandsche novellen'', and in 1873, he published his ''Geschiedenis van Lier'' (E: History of Lier). These publication were followed by ''Brigitta'', ''Op St.-Niklaasdag'', and ''Mariette la Bella''. His frail health deteriorated while he was working on his ''magnum opus'' ''Ernest Staas'', which he published under the

pseudonym A pseudonym (; ) or alias () is a fictitious name that a person or group assumes for a particular purpose, which differs from their original or true name (orthonym). This also differs from a new name that entirely or legally replaces an individua ...

''Tony''. Ernest Staas was a success, and also his friend Nicolaas Beets (alias Hildebrand), whom he admired very much, was full of praise for his book. However, soon after its publication, Anton Bergmann died.

Bibliography

* ''Philips van Marnix van Sint Aldegonde, plundering der hoofdkerk van Lier'' * ''Twee Rijnlandsche novellen'' (1870) * ''Brigitta'' (1873) * ''Geschiedenis der Stad Lier'' (1873) * ''Mariette la Bella'' (1873) * ''Op St-Niklaasdag'' (1873) * ''Ernest Staas, advocaat. Schetsen en beelden.'' (1874) * ''Verspreide schetsen en novellen'' (1875)

Sources

Anton Bergmann
(Dutch)
Anton Bergmann
(Dutch) {{DEFAULTSORT:Bergmann, Anton 1835 births 1874 deaths Flemish activists Flemish writers Free University of Brussels (1834–1969) alumni Ghent University alumni People from Lier, Belgium

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