Difference between revisions of "Joseph Suasso de Lima"
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| − | After a short and undistinguished career in Batavia, he settled in Cape Town in 1818, where he became a schoolmaster at the Lutheran Church. He also became fairly well-known as a poet and after initially befriending his contemporary [[C.E. Boniface]], from 1823 the two became implacable enemies and exchanged public invective in the forms of poems and dialogues ("[[Zamenspraak|Zamensprake]]") to the joy of the public. Ridiculed by Boniface particularly for his small stature, for his physical deformities (which were likened to those of Pope) made him an easy target for his enemies although his superior dignity and wit caused him to the more respected. | + | After a short and undistinguished career in Batavia, he settled in Cape Town in 1818, where he became a schoolmaster at the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He also became fairly well-known as a poet and after initially befriending his contemporary [[C.E. Boniface]], from 1823 the two became implacable enemies and exchanged public invective in the forms of poems and dialogues ("[[Zamenspraak|Zamensprake]]") to the joy of the public. Ridiculed by Boniface particularly for his small stature, for his physical deformities (which were likened to those of Pope) made him an easy target for his enemies although his superior dignity and wit caused him to the more respected. |
In 1826 he started up a weekly newspaper in [[Dutch]], ''[[De Verzamelaar]]'' (1826-1848), which became the ''[[Kaapsche Courant]]'' in 1827, but was out of business by 1830, although De Lima kept trying to resuscitate it, notably from 1839 to 1848. His life stabilised to a degree until his death in 1858, though he was never really financially successful. He was also the author of the first history of the Cape published in Africa (1825). | In 1826 he started up a weekly newspaper in [[Dutch]], ''[[De Verzamelaar]]'' (1826-1848), which became the ''[[Kaapsche Courant]]'' in 1827, but was out of business by 1830, although De Lima kept trying to resuscitate it, notably from 1839 to 1848. His life stabilised to a degree until his death in 1858, though he was never really financially successful. He was also the author of the first history of the Cape published in Africa (1825). | ||
Revision as of 09:52, 8 September 2014
(1791-1858) A doctor of jurisprudence, translator, teacher, scholar, newspaper editor, stationer and bookseller, prolific and literate poet, writer, playwright and avid supporter of theatre. Also known as J. Suasso de Lima.
Contents
Biography
Born in Amsterdam, the son of Portuguese Jews, though he converted to Christianity at an early age. Trained as a lawyer. He was conversant with at least eleven languages.
Career
After a short and undistinguished career in Batavia, he settled in Cape Town in 1818, where he became a schoolmaster at the Evangelical Lutheran Church. He also became fairly well-known as a poet and after initially befriending his contemporary C.E. Boniface, from 1823 the two became implacable enemies and exchanged public invective in the forms of poems and dialogues ("Zamensprake") to the joy of the public. Ridiculed by Boniface particularly for his small stature, for his physical deformities (which were likened to those of Pope) made him an easy target for his enemies although his superior dignity and wit caused him to the more respected.
In 1826 he started up a weekly newspaper in Dutch, De Verzamelaar (1826-1848), which became the Kaapsche Courant in 1827, but was out of business by 1830, although De Lima kept trying to resuscitate it, notably from 1839 to 1848. His life stabilised to a degree until his death in 1858, though he was never really financially successful. He was also the author of the first history of the Cape published in Africa (1825).
He died in the Cape in 1858.
Contribution to SA theatre, film, media and/or performance
As director and manager
According to Bosman (1928) he was the founding father of children's theatre in the Cape when he established Tot Oefening en Smaak in 1825 , a dramatic society for children, but had to abandon it again the next year due to puritanical outrage at the possible effect of theatre on the morality of children.
As playwright
Not as prolific as his rival, yet he produced a number of works performed in the 19th century.
Original plays
His best known theatrical work was his satire on C.E. Boniface entitled Zamenspraak tusschen Limançon een Dichter en een Prozaisch Gaskonjer.
Translations
L’Enragé (Boniface) as De Dolzinnige, of De Gewaande Dolleman (1823)
[TH, JH]
Awards, etc
Sources
De Beer, 1995,
Bosman, 1928: pp 4,124,
Fletcher, 1994
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