Annie M.G. Schmidt
A writer whose witty, subversive verse and stories gave the Dutch language a new playfulness and made her a national treasure.
1911–1995 (age 84)·Dutch writer·Birthday: May 20·The Greatest Generation
Biography
Annie M.G. Schmidt didn't just write for children; she spoke to the anarchic, curious child in every Dutch adult. With a deceptively light touch, she revolutionized Dutch literature, crafting poems, songs, and stories that were instantly beloved for their musical language and sly humor. Her characters—like the independently minded orphan Floddertje or the cat-minister Minoes—were never saccharine; they were clever, mischievous, and often gently challenged societal norms. As a journalist and lyricist, she brought this same sharp, playful voice to cabaret songs and newspaper columns, earning the title 'mother of the Dutch theatrical song.' Her work possessed a unique, untranslatable quality rooted in the rhythms and idioms of everyday Dutch, which is why she is often considered the definitive writer of the national consciousness. Her inclusion in the Canon of the Netherlands alongside figures like Rembrandt is a testament to her foundational role in shaping modern Dutch cultural identity.
The Greatest Generation
1901–1927
Grew up during the Depression, fought World War II, and built the postwar economic boom. Defined by shared sacrifice, institutional trust, and a belief that hard work and loyalty would be rewarded.
Annie was born in 1911, placing them squarely in The Greatest Generation. The events that shaped this generation — world wars, depression, and rapid industrialization — shaped the world they entered and the choices available to them.
#1 When Annie Was Born
The biggest hits of 1911
Annie's Life & Times
The world at every milestone
1911Born
Triangle Shirtwaist Factory fire kills 146 in New York
President: William Howard Taft
1916Started school
The Battle of the Somme claims over a million casualties
President: Woodrow Wilson
1924Became a teenager
First Winter Olympics held in Chamonix, France
President: Calvin Coolidge"It Had to Be You" — Isham Jones
1927Could drive
Lindbergh flies solo across the Atlantic; The Jazz Singer premieres
President: Calvin Coolidge"My Blue Heaven" — Gene Austin
1929Could vote
Wall Street crashes, triggering the Great Depression
Gas: $0.21/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Singin' in the Rain" — Cliff EdwardsBest Picture: The Broadway Melody
1932Turned 21
Amelia Earhart flies solo across the Atlantic
Gas: $0.18/galPresident: Herbert Hoover"Night and Day" — Fred AstaireBest Picture: Grand Hotel
1941Turned 30
Pearl Harbor attack brings the US into WWII
Gas: $0.19/galHome: $3,060Min wage: $0.30/hrPresident: Franklin D. Roosevelt"Chattanooga Choo Choo" — Glenn MillerBest Picture: How Green Was My Valley
1951Turned 40
First color TV broadcast in the US
Gas: $0.27/galHome: $7,925Min wage: $0.75/hrPresident: Harry S. Truman"Too Young" — Nat King ColeBest Picture: An American in Paris
1961Turned 50
Yuri Gagarin becomes the first human in space
Gas: $0.31/galHome: $12,500Min wage: $1.15/hrPresident: John F. Kennedy"Tossin' and Turnin'" — Bobby LewisBest Picture: West Side Story
1971Turned 60
Voting age lowered to 18 in the US
Gas: $0.36/galHome: $18,100Min wage: $1.60/hrPresident: Richard Nixon"Joy to the World" — Three Dog NightBest Picture: The French Connection
1981Turned 70
MTV launches; first Space Shuttle flight; AIDS identified
Gas: $1.31/galHome: $52,300Min wage: $3.35/hrPresident: Ronald Reagan"Bette Davis Eyes" — Kim CarnesBest Picture: Chariots of Fire
1991Turned 80
Soviet Union dissolves; World Wide Web goes public
Gas: $1.14/galHome: $82,400Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: George H.W. Bush"(Everything I Do) I Do It for You" — Bryan AdamsBest Picture: The Silence of the Lambs
1995Died at 84
Oklahoma City bombing; Windows 95 released
Gas: $1.15/galHome: $96,500Min wage: $4.25/hrPresident: Bill Clinton"Gangsta's Paradise" — CoolioBest Picture: Braveheart
Key Achievements
- Authored the beloved 'Jip and Janneke' series, which became a cultural touchstone for Dutch children.
- Won the Hans Christian Andersen Medal in 1988 for her lasting contribution to children's literature.
- Wrote the lyrics for countless successful Dutch cabaret songs and musicals, including 'Heerlijk duurt het langst.'
- Created the long-running, popular newspaper column 'In Holland Staat een Huis' for *Het Parool*.
Did You Know?
She worked as a librarian for nearly a decade before becoming a full-time writer.
Her son, Flip van Duyn, is a well-known Dutch illustrator who often collaborated with her.
The annual Annie M.G. Schmidt Week is a Dutch festival celebrating children's literature and theater.
She was profoundly shy and disliked public speaking, despite the public nature of her work.
“I write for children because they still have a sense of humor. Adults have often lost it.”
