Dirk Bax was born on February 17, 1793 in Rotterdam.
He studied in Leiden and became a doctor in theology. He was
a Dutch-Reformed minister in Ek-en-Wiel, Brielle and Zutphen.
Mr Bax was also exceptionally gifted in mathematics and physics.
After working ten years as a minister in Zutphen, he was offered
a professorship in the disciplines in which he was twice awarded
with gold. He was also a poet, a student of the German School
and a translator. In 1837 he came to Rotterdam to lecture.
During the night of April 27, fate took control. The common
thought is that he felt in sleep with the light on. His clothes
caught fire and the poet died in the burning house, he was
44 years old. He left behind a family in poverty: his wife
Elizabeth Hendrina Wittigs and 6 children.
