Hella Haasse
Hella Haasse | |
|---|---|
Amsterdam, July 2006 | |
| Born | Hélène Serafia Haasse 2 February 1918 Batavia, Dutch East Indies |
| Died | 29 September 2011 (aged 93) Amsterdam, Netherlands |
| Alma mater | University of Amsterdam |
| Period | 1948–2011 |
| Subject | Historical novels, Dutch East Indies-Netherlands relationship |
| Notable awards | 19 total (inc. 2 honorary degrees and P.C. Hooft Award) |
| Spouse | Jan van Lelyveld (1944–2008; his death); 3 children |
Hélène "Hella" Serafia Haasse (2 February 1918 – 29 September 2011) was a Dutch writer, often referred to as the "Grande Dame" of Dutch literature, and whose novel Oeroeg (1948) was a staple for generations of Dutch schoolchildren. Her internationally acclaimed magnum opus is Heren van de Thee, translated to The Tea Lords. In 1988 Haasse was chosen to interview the Dutch Queen for her 50th birthday after which celebrated Dutch author Adriaan van Dis called Haasse "the Queen among authors".
Haasse has the first Dutch digital online museum dedicated to the life and work of an author. The museum was opened in 2008 on her 90th birthday.
Haasse has an asteroid named after her.