According to two biographical reference books, Jan Brester
Albertszoon was born on May 7, 1805 in Amsterdam - the book
that we show says April 7. His parents are described as being
commonpeople leading ordinary lives. Jan grew up and became
a salesman or trader in coffee and tea. Jan was a bachelor
and stayed living with his parents. For a long time he was
secretary of the 'Maatschappij tot Nut van 't Algemeen Vermaak'
in Amsterdam. He published poems in several yearbooks. At
last, fullfilling a longterm wish of his friends, he put all
of his poems into a collection during the last year of his
life. Jan Brester Az. died on November 4, 1862 in Amsterdam
- aged 57 years.
Also Brester was familiar with the Divine Name Jehovah.
He uses the Name in the poem 'Abigaël'. (see: 'Neerlands
Letterkunde in de Negentiende Eeuw' - Bloemlezing ten gebruike
bij de beoefening onzer letterkunde' - published in 1877 by
D.A. Thieme).
