Melis Stoke

Born in 1892, Melis Stoke was the pen name of Herman Salomonson, a Dutch writer and journalist. He became known in the Netherlands for newspaper writing as well as books, using a style that could be sharp, observant, and accessible to a wide audience.

Salomonson worked across journalism and literature, and his writing ranged from humorous and satirical pieces to longer prose. That mix helped make him a recognizable literary figure in Dutch public life during the early twentieth century.

Because he was Jewish, his life was overturned during the Nazi occupation. He died in 1942, and his story is now remembered not only through his books and journalism, but also as part of the wider loss of European literary voices during the war.