Dr A.N.E. Changuion

Dr. A.N.E. Changuion (1803-1881) was a Dutch born educator, writer, politician, orator, journalist, cultural activist and main leader of the Dutch movement in South Africa.

Biography

Born Antoine Nicolas Ernest Changuion on 15 December 1803 in The Hague, but grew up at Offenbach am Main, learning German, English, French, Greek and Latin. He taught English and French in Frankfurt, Amsterdam and studied Theology at the University of Leiden from 1828 till he left for South Africa.

His contribution to South African culture and the arts

In 1831 he accepted a professorship in classical and modern languages, focusing on Dutch literature, at the South African Athenaeum (founded in 1829; later known as the South African College,today known as the University of Cape Town). At Leiden University, he held the title of Philosophy Theoreticae Master et Litirarum Doctor Humaniorum (honoris causa). At the South African Athenaeum he remained in this position until 1842 when he resigned for various reasons and went back to Europe, finally settling in Lörrach, SwitzerlandSwitzerland, where he died on 14 October 1881.

He was married on 25 September 1832 to M.E. Faure, daughter of Dr. Abraham Faure and Susanna Smuts. From this marriage he had six sons and three daughters.

His contribution to South African theatre and performance

In this position, he played an important role in the promotion of Dutch culture in the Cape during the first half of the 19th Century. Unhappy with the increasing anglicisation of the Athenaeum, he later founded his own “institute” (* name?), a centre for basic and more advanced study with boarding facilities, which operated in both English and Dutch. He also worked for, and later edited the Nederduitsche Zuid-Afrikaansch Tydschrift. From around 1850 onwards, he organised important Dutch-language cultural evenings to promote recitations and public speaking.

[JH/TH]