Joost Berman
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Joost Berman | |
|---|---|
| Born | 9 January 1793 |
| Died | 18 March 1855 (aged 62) |
| Education | Law |
| Alma mater | Leiden University |
| Occupation(s) | lawyer, judge, writer, politician |
| Years active | 1817–1855 |
| Spouse | Neeltje Sevenhuizen |
| Children | Geertruida, Cornelis I, Cornelia, Johanna, Joost, Alexandrina, Alexander Johan, Abrahamina, Neeltje I, Cornelis II, Stephania, Neeltje II |
| Parent(s) | Geertruida der Weduwen Maarten Berman |
| Relatives | Simon Berman, Bart Berman, Helen Berman, Thijs Berman |
Joost Berman (9 January 1793 – 18 March 1855)[1][2] was a Dutch lawyer, judge, politician, poet, nonfiction writer, and editor.
Joost Berman was born in Ouwerkerk as the son of notary Maarten Berman (1769–1832) and Geertruida der Weduwen (1772?–1844).[3] Along with some contemporaries from an evolving rural elite, he managed to complete his studies at the French and Latin schools.[3][4] When he went on to study law at Leiden University (1814–1817), he was the first of these supposedly "farmer boys" to acquire higher education.[3][4][5]
Legal, literary and political career
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After graduating, Joost Berman worked as an attorney in Zierikzee.[3][5] Subsequently he was employed by the local court, serving as Assistant Clerk to the Court, Clerk to the Court, Judge of Peace, and from 1838 as Canton Judge.[5][6][7][8][9] In 1843 Jacobus Boeije succeeded Berman as Canton Judge and Berman served again as Clerk to the Court until 1851.[10][9]
Joost Berman wrote several works of poetry mobilizing public opinion against the Belgian Revolution, supporting a continued Dutch rule over Belgium.[5][11][12] His dissertation and some other nonfiction works were also published. Berman often wrote for magazines.[5] From 1836 to 1847, Berman was co-editor of the "Zeeland People's Almanac" (Dutch: Zeeuwsche Volks-Almanak), alongside Rev. H.M.C. van Oosterzee.[4][5][13][14][15] This annual series was published by the Zierikzee publisher Johannes van de Velde Olivier,[15] who also published some of Berman's books. While meticulously covering all of Zeeland, both editors lived in Zierikzee, putting the northern island of Schouwen slightly more central in the Almanac than customary in Zeeland-showcasing publications.[16][15] Publication ceased after Van Oosterzee moved out of Zeeland.[15]
In the elections of 26 September 1848 for the city council of Zierikzee, Joost Berman received 75 votes, just one vote less than the last candidate to receive a 9-year appointment to the council.[17] Berman and the two candidates behind him were selected to fill in places of deceased council members for a "short" term of 6 years.[17] Berman resigned from the Zierikzee court in 1851.[18] There are indications of hardship around or following this decision.[19]
Personal and death
On 29 July 1817, Joost Berman married Neeltje Sevenhuizen (1797–1871) from Zierikzee. In 1823, Berman was released from serving in the Zierikzee's civil guard for health reasons.[20]
Joost and Neeltje Berman had 12 children, 4 of whom died at a young age. Joost Berman's son, Alexander Johan, studied at Joost's alma mater to become the Dutch Reformed minister of Watergang.[1] His grandson, Simon Berman, was the mayor of six municipalities in the Netherlands, the larger of which were Schagen, Bedum, and Alblasserdam.
Joost Berman died in Zierikzee on 18 March 1855,[1][3] aged 62, after a disease his wife said lasted only 2 days.[2]
