You have probably heard of him, but did you know that Johan Hendrik van Dale, the founder of the Dictionary of the Dutch Language 'De Dikke van Dale', came from Sluis? He was born here (15 February 1828).
Johan Hendrik van Dale is probably the most famous resident of Sluis. He married Maria Moens in 1850 and together they had 7 children. At the age of just 26, he became head teacher of the public school, and later he became city archivist in the Belfort.
He wrote schoolbooks and obtained qualifications in various languages, physics, agriculture and mathematics. He was offered many fine positions, but he did not want to leave his native region.
Van Dale had poor health. Unfortunately, Van Dale did not live to see the completion of his dictionary; at the age of 44 he died of smallpox. His friend and pupil J. Manhave completed the dictionary. He is buried at the general cemetery in Sluis. On the Walplein stands the bust of J.H. van Dale.
In Museum 't Belfort on the Groote Markt in Sluis, you can learn all about J.H. van Dale, language and dialects through short films, audio fragments, a "language bank" and much more. Information about the museum: www.belfortsluis.nl
