In his valedictory speech lecture, Professor of Early Dutch Literature Johan Koppenol will discuss Twee-en-tachtig-jarig leven, the rhymed autobiography of Jacob Cats (1577–1660). This text is a unique yet highly problematic source for the biography of this widely read poet, land reclamation pioneer, and central figure in Dutch history. Using examples, Koppenol will critically examine certain aspects and issues from Cats' life, such as the representations of Cats himself and the complex questions surrounding the position of women.
The research on Cats—a major project that will continue in the coming years and is expected to culminate in a comprehensive monograph—also serves as an opportunity to reflect on developments in Dutch literary studies over the past decades. Koppenol’s own career provides the framework for some reflections on the importance of texts, how to keep literary history alive, and the prospects for literary scholarship in today’s research culture.