TEIRLINCK, HERMAN

(1879-1967)

Dutch-language writer Herman Teirlinck was born inMolenbeek-Saint-Jeanon 24 February 1879. He was an official in the Brussels city government (1902-1906) and was a contributor to the periodicalVan Nu en Straksand other journals. He wrote expressionist plays in the 1920s (De man zonder lijf, The man without a body [1925]) and, later, novels (Zelfportret of het galgemaal, Self-portrait or the last supper [1955]). He returned to writing stage plays in the 1960s. Teirlinck founded a national drama school in 1946 (since 1967, Hoger Instituut voor Dramatische Kunst-Studio H. Teirlinck). His theatrical works are notable for their fine sensitivity and decorous, sonorous lyrics. Teirlinck died in Brussels on 4 February 1967.