author
M. de (Matthias) Vries
1820–1892
A pioneering Dutch linguist and lexicographer, he helped shape the standard spelling of Dutch and launched one of the language’s most ambitious dictionary projects. His work still stands behind the modern history of Dutch words.
1 Audiobook
Woordenlijst voor de spelling der Nederlandsche Taal Met aanwijzing van de geslachten der naamwoorden en de vervoeging der werkwoorden
by M. de (Matthias) Vries, L. A. te Winkel
About the author
Born in Haarlem in 1820 and later active in both Groningen and Leiden, he became one of the key scholars of nineteenth-century Dutch language and literature. He studied at Leiden University, taught before moving into university posts, and went on to build a reputation as a careful, wide-ranging philologist.
He is best known for his central role in the Woordenboek der Nederlandsche Taal, the great historical dictionary of Dutch. Together with L. A. te Winkel, he also helped establish the spelling system that became known as the De Vries and Te Winkel spelling, an important step in bringing greater consistency to written Dutch.
Beyond his published books, his surviving archive shows a scholar deeply engaged with manuscripts, notes, and correspondence. He died in Leiden in 1892, remembered as an important force in Dutch lexicography and language study.