Andreas Burnier
| Andreas Burnier | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born |
Catharina Irma Dessaur July 3, 1931 Den Haag Netherlands |
| Died |
September 18, 2002 (aged 71) Amsterdam Netherlands |
| Occupation |
criminologist writer |
| Language | Dutch |
| Genre | novel, short stories, essay |
Andreas Burnier, born Catharina Irma Dessaur (July 3, 1931 – September 18, 2002), was a Dutch writer.[1][2] Burnier has published poetry, lectures, books, and articles, many of which address homosexuality, in order to emphasize women's problems in a male-dominated society.[3]
Early life
Burnier was born Catharina Irma Dessaur in The Hague, The Netherlands to Jewish parents Salomon Dessaur and Rosa Louisa Jacobs.[2][4] Like many other Jewish children in Europe, she went into hiding during World War II,[5] and was separated from her parents for three years (1942–1945), hiding in sixteen different locations under the alias Ronnie van Dijk.[4] During her time in hiding, Burnier became aware of the lack of rights that women experience in a male-dominated society and began to feel like she was a boy trapped in a girl's body.[3]
Education
After the war, Burnier studied medicine and philosophy in Amsterdam; however, she never finished her studies.[6] In 1961, Burnier began to study philosophy in Leiden in South Holland and later graduated cum laude.[4] Post-graduation, she received her PhD in criminology.[4]
Criminology
From 1973-1988, Burnier was a criminology professor at the University of Nijmegen.[6] Prior to this, she worked with the Ministry of CRM and the Institute of Criminal Law and Criminology in Leiden.[6]
Literary debut
Burnier debuted in the literary magazine Tirade with her story "Verschrikkingen van het Noorden" (The Horrors of the North).[4][6] Along with assuming a new name as a writer, Burnier also assumed the opposite gender.[6] In 1965, she published her first novel Een tevreden lach (A Contented Laugh).[7] In it she wrote about her homosexuality, a topic that had not been previously breached in Dutch literature.[4] This novel was well received by critics who praised its original structural elements.[3] She followed this work with a collection of short stories entitled De verschrikkingen van het noorden (The Horrors of the North) in 1967 and a novel Het jongensuur (The boys' hour) in 1969, supplementing this work with a series of poetry, book reviews and articles.[7]
Feminism and activism
Burnier was also a pioneer during the second feminist wave, often writing about the inborn misfortune of having a female body.[4] Many of her works are intended to encourage women to take their place in society and fight for their rights.[3] Dessaur saw feminism as a positive force for remaking civilization. She was an outspoken defender of gay rights and opposed to abortion and euthanasia.[7]
Personal life
In 1953, Burnier married Johannes Emanuel Zeijlmans van Emmichoven[2] and had two children with him.[4] About eight years later, in 1961, Burnier and Zeijlmans filed for divorce.[4] During the time that Burnier was getting her PhD, Burnier met her first female romantic partner; they were together for 17 years.[4] Beginning in 1983, she had a relationship with Ineke van Mourik.[2] Burnier died in Amsterdam at the age of 71.[2]
Works
Her works include:[1]
- Een tevreden lach (A Contented Laugh), 1965
- De verschrikkingen van het noorden (The Horrors of the North), 1967
- Het jongensuur (The Boys' Hour), 1969
- De huilende libertijn (The Crying Libertine), 1970
- De verschrikkingen van het noorden (The Horrors of the North), 1974
- Poëzie: jongens en het gezelschap van geleerde vrouwen (Poetry: Boys and the Company of Educated Women), 1974
- De reis naar Kithira (The Trip to Kithira), 1976
- De zwembadmentaliteit (The Swimming Pool Mentality), 1979
- Na de laatste keer (After the Last Time), 1981
- De droom der rede (The Dream of Reason), 1982
- De litteraire salon (The Literary Salon), 1983
- De trein naar Tarascon (The Train to Tarascon), 1986
- Gesprekken in de nacht (Conversations in the Night), 1987
- Mystiek en magie in de litteratuur (Mystik and Magic in Literature), 1988
- De achtste scheppingsdag (The Eighth Day of Creation), 1990
- Een wereld van verschil (A World of Difference), 1994
- Gustav Meyrink: bewoner van twee werelden (Gustav Meyrink: Inhabitant of Two Worlds), 1996
- Manoeuvres (Laborers), 1996
- De wereld is van glas (The World is Made of Glass), 1997
- Joods lezen (Jewish Reading), 1997
- Een gevaar dat de ziel in wil (A Danger That Wants to Be in the Soul), 2003
- Na de laatste keer (After the Last Time), 2004
Biography
- Elisabeth Lockhorn: Andreas Burnier, metselaar van de wereld. Amsterdam & Antwerpen, Uitgeverij Augustus/Atlas Contact, 2015. ISBN 978-90-450-2864-4
See also
References
- 1 2 "Auteurs." Andreas Burnier · Dbnl. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Dessaur, Catharina Irma (1931-2002)". Online Dictionary of Dutch Women (in Dutch).
- 1 2 3 4 Katharina M. Wilson. (1991). An Encyclopedia of Continental Women Writers. Taylor & Francis. pp. 310-311. ISBN 978-0-8240-8547-6 Retrieved 11 October 2014.
- 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10 "Biografie." Andreas Burnier. N.p., n.d. Web. 25 Oct. 2014.
- ↑ Liska, Vivian; Nolden, Thomas (2007). Contemporary Jewish Writing in Europe: A Guide. pp. 44–45. ISBN 0253000076.
- 1 2 3 4 5 "Andreas Burnier (1931-2002) Biografie." Andreas Burnier Biografie. N.p., n.d. Web. 26 Oct. 2014.
- 1 2 3 Wilson, Katharina M; Schlueter, Paul; Schlueter, June (2013). Women Writers of Great Britain and Europe: An Encyclopedia. pp. 116–17. ISBN 1135616701.