Albert Verwey (May 15, 1865 – March 8, 1937) was a Dutch poet belonging to the "Movement of Eighty". As a translator, staffer, and literary historian he played an important role in the literary life of The Netherlands in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Verwey was born in the center of Amsterdam; all his life he spoke with a strong local accent. Both his father and grandfather were furniture makers. In his youth, he lost both his parents, caused by tuberculosis. Verwey began to write poetry early in life. In 1880 he translated poems by Samuel Coleridge, Byron, Shelley, and Wordsworth. After finishing high school Verwey worked at a securities office. Because Verwey was very good in English, the 18-years-old Verwey was invited by the Dutch directors of the Maxwell Land Grant to join them as translator to Cimarron, New Mexico. His first book of poems, called Persephone after the Greek goddess, was published in 1883. In 1885 he was a co-founder of the periodical De Nieuwe Gids (“The New Guide”), which was one of the chief organs of the Dutch literary revival of the 1880s. Verwey contributed sonnets and more poems. Verwey was a close friend of Willem Kloos, and an affair developed between the two poets, which is unprecedented in Dutch literature. They broke their relation in 1888. In 1889 he failed his Latin examinations. In the same year, his collected poems were published, with translations of work by Christopher Marlowe.
In 1890 Verwey married and moved to Villa Nova in Noordwijk aan Zee. Frederik van Eeden became his brother-in-law. Verwey was involved in the decoration of the Beurs van Berlage, a "synthesis of the arts". For a time he was influenced by Spinozism and Socialism through his wife. Since 1895 he was connected to the esoteric German poet Stefan George, whose work he translated. In some of his poems, Verwey reflected on the horrors of the World War One; Verwey held Germany responsibly and refused to accept George's later ideas about a spiritual aristocracy. In 1922 his translation of Gulliver's Travels was published. From 1924 till 1935 Verwey was a professor at the Rijksuniversiteit Leiden. Verwey translated and promoted medieval poetry in search of passion, vision, and dreams.
Although no Dutch writer has won the Nobel Prize in Literature he is among the Dutch writers to have been nominated by multiple people. Verwey was a prolific writer; at the University of Amsterdam his carefully kept correspondence (of 20,000 letters) can be consulted.
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Some of their strengths
Albert Verwey has many admirable traits.
Based on spiritual traditions from around the world, they are someone who can be described as Hardworking, Generous, Confident, Energetic, Honest, Smart, and Loyal.
Strong and Diligent
According to Mysticism’s Astrology tradition, Albert Verwey is someone who is a strong, diligent, and trustworthy person who approaches life with honesty and perseverance, but who is also physical, sensual, and artistic. A person who is ambitious and motivated.
Soulful and Intuitive
Based on Daoism’s Ba-Zi or ‘Chinese Zodiac’ tradition, people who know Albert Verwey well know them as someone who can be graceful, romantic, and reserved, like gentle rain.
Independent and Organized
According to Hinduism’s Jyotisha or ‘Vedic Astrology’ tradition, many would also describe Albert Verwey as someone who is independent, organized, inventive, and generous.
A person who is curious and a loves learning, who seems to always know what to say, who has an optimism that can overcome any difficult situation, and who seems to be able to master almost any skill.
Dynamic and Imaginative
Based on the Mayan Tzolk’in or ‘Mayan Astrology’ tradition, Albert Verwey is someone who can bring a purifying element to situations, and who is a risk-taker with vision and imagination.
They are also someone who is calm, comforting, and stable, and who loves stability and being a good friend and loyal partner.
Patient and Compassionate
According to Judaism’s Kabbalah tradition, Albert Verwey tends to be someone who approaches life with grace and compassion, and who has a powerful and commanding personality. Who can be analytical, patient, and deliberate, avoiding risks and seeking out stability instead.
Some of Albert Verwey's challenges
While Albert Verwey has many strengths, nobody is perfect. They also have some challenging traits they need to manage.
For example, Albert Verwey can be Impatient, Stubborn, Idle, Suspicious, Arrogant, Status-seeking, and Domineering.
Stubborn and Idle
One of Albert Verwey's key challenges is that they are someone who can be seen as stubborn and, at times, lazy.
Domineering and Impatient
Albert Verwey is someone who can be demanding, egotistical, and controlling, can have a lack of judgment regarding personal finances, be argumentative and stubborn, and who can have a tendency to be withdrawn and spend time in self-imposed isolation.
Materialistic and Aggressive
Finally, Albert Verwey also can be materialistic, emotional, aggressive, stubborn, inconsistent, and be prone to big temper outbursts.
