author
Jacob van der Klei
1879–1951
Best remembered for school and children's books, this Dutch writer drew on years in education to create stories for young readers. His life moved from rural Friesland to Amsterdam, and that path shows in the world behind his books.
1 Audiobook
Dubbele Twee: Leesboek voor het vierde leerjaar
by Jacob van der Klei
About the author
Born in Boyl, Friesland, on February 14, 1879, Jacob van der Klei was a Dutch writer of schoolbooks and children's books. Sources describe him as a teacher in Friesland from 1897 to 1917, after which he continued his career in Amsterdam until taking early retirement in 1934.
He is often listed as Jac. van der Klei, and at least some book history sources note Jaap van Boyl as a pseudonym. His work is closely tied to reading education and youth literature, including titles in the Licht en Leven series and the reader Dubbele Twee.
Van der Klei died in Apeldoorn on February 13, 1951. Even from the brief record that survives online, he comes across as a practical, reader-focused author whose writing grew naturally out of the classroom.