Aloïs Walgrave was a Flemish poet and prose writer.
Aloïs was born on 9 February 9, 1876 in Ghent. His
education included studies in Thomism and traditional philology.
Thomism is a philosophical school formed to the spread the
ideas and work of Thomas of Aquino, an Italian philosopher
and theologian from the 13th century. Philology is a branch
of linguistics which is aimed particularly at dead languages.
After further studies at the Great Seminary at Mechelen he
became a pastor at Vollezele in 1920.
In the book “The Dutch and Flemish authors”
(1985) by G.J. van Bork and P.J. Verkruijsse, the following
is written about him: “He tried to renovate Bible drama
and became especially known as a poet of religious and nature
poetry similar to Guido Gezelle, for whom he nourished a great
admiration.”
Amongst his known works are ‘Stille stonden - ‘Silent
Houres’ (1905), 'De blindgeborene' - ‘The blind
born’ (1907), 'Noodkreet' – ‘Cry for help’
(1908), 'Zingende snaren' – Singing Chords (1909), 'Het
spel van Onze-Lieve-Vrouw, of Maria's leven' – ‘The
play of Our Lady, or Mary's life ' (1910), 'Vrede op aarde'
– ‘Peace on Earth’ (1911), 'Jeugddroomen'
– ‘Childhood dreams’ (1913), 'Gedichtengroei’
- Growth of Poems' (1914) en 'Het leven van Guido Gezelle,
Vlaamschen priester en dichter' – The Life of Guido
Gezelle, Flemish priest and poet (1923-1924).
Aloïs Walgrave died in Brugge on February 28, 1930,
just two weeks after he had reached 54 years of age.
