author
D. A. (Daniël Adrianus) Poldermans
1877–1939
A Dutch schoolmaster who turned everyday Zeeland life into lively literature, he is especially remembered for his warm, skillful writing in regional dialect. He also wrote the words to the Zeeland anthem, helping give local identity a lasting voice.
1 Audiobook
De avonturen van Jan Kodde
by D. A. (Daniël Adrianus) Poldermans
About the author
Born in Ellemeet on August 30, 1877, Daniël Adrianus Poldermans was a Dutch teacher and writer closely connected with Zeeland. He taught in Goes and later served as headmaster in 's-Gravenpolder from 1909 to 1934.
Alongside his work in education, he built a reputation as a gifted writer of Zeeland dialect sketches and stories. Works such as Zuud-Bevelandsch lief en leed and Langs dieken en wegen helped preserve the speech, humor, and daily life of the region, and his "Jan de smid van Poeldurp" letters were especially admired.
Poldermans is also remembered for writing the lyrics of the Zeeuws volkslied, the anthem of Zeeland. He died in 's-Gravenpolder on April 14, 1939, but his writing still stands out for its affection for local culture and its vivid sense of place.