Anna Blaman

Anna Blaman, pseudonym of Johanna Petronella Vrugt, (1905–1960) was a Dutch writer and poet. The literary award Anna Blaman Prijs is named after her. As a high-profile public figure who was openly homosexual, she helped open doors for Dutch lesbians. She began publishing poetry in the literary magazines Criterium and Helikon. In 1941, she published her first novel Vrouw en vriend (Woman and friend). This was followed by Eenzaam avontuur (Lonely adventure) in 1948. She published a novella De kruisvaarder (The Crusader) in 1950 and two books of short stories Ram Horna in 1951 and Overdag in 1957. The novel Op leven en dood (A Matter of Life and Death) was published in 1954. Her last novel De verliezers (The losers) remained uncompleted but was published posthumously in 1974.

Born: January 31, 1905 in Rotterdam

Died: July 13, 1960 (Age 55)