 A. G. van Hamel. Photo: INGThe A. G. van Hamel Foundation for Celtic Studies is named after Anton Gerard van Hamel (1886-1945), the first professor to hold the Chair of Celtic Studies in Utrecht and in the Netherlands in general. In 1923, he was appointed to the Chair of Germanic Studies at the (then State) University of Utrecht and at his request, Celtic was added to the curriculum.
Although he was not the first Dutchman to commmit himself to Celtic studies, his academic position, his many publications in the field and his role in educating Celticists who followed in his footsteps furnish ample reason for regarding him as the founding father of Celtic studies in the Netherlands.
Patronage
Following Van Hamel's death in 1945, the torch of Celtic studies in the Netherlands passed to Professor Maartje Draak. She acted as patroness of the foundation until her death in 1995. During the next decade, it was Anders Ahlqvist, Professor (emeritus) of Old and Middle Irish at the Universities of Galway and Helsinki, who served as patron of the foundation. The Board of the Foundation has conferred on him the title of Patron Emeritus. Since 2006, his successor is Leni van Strien-Gerritsen. She is best known for her role as Senior Lecturer of Celtic studies at Utrecht University and in that capacity, for her unfailing commitment to preserve Celtic Languages and Culture from abolition. She retired in 2003.
|
 Leni van Strien-Gerritsen (links) en prof. Anders Ahlqvist (rechts) |
