Dekker, Eduard Douwes

Dekker, Eduard Douwes (ā'düärt dou'us dek'ur) [key], pseud. Multatuli (multätü'lē) [key], 1820–87, Dutch novelist. His experiences in the Dutch colonial service in Java (1838–57) made him an ardent advocate of reform in colonial administration and were the inspiration of Max Havelaar (1860, tr. 1868, 1927), which satirized the grasping spirit, the religion, morals, and government of the Dutch bourgeoisie. His unsparing criticism had tremendous effect in a Holland that had grown intellectually lethargic.

The Columbia Electronic Encyclopedia, 6th ed. Copyright © 2007, Columbia University Press. All rights reserved.

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