Stephanus Axters Explained

Stephanus Gerardus Axters (1901–1977) was a Belgian scholar with a particular interest in the history and literature of Christian mysticism.

Life

Axters was born in Bruges, West Flanders (Belgium) on 15 October 1901.^[1] He joined the Order of Preachers at the age of 20, in 1921, and studied in Rome.^[2] After early work on Thomas Aquinas and Catherine of Siena,^[2] he became an expert on the history of Flemish mysticism, publishing a four-volume history and numerous articles on the subject,^[1] as well as founding the periodical Tijdschrift voor Geestelijk Leven (1945).^[3]

On 30 November 1957, he became a member of the Royal Academy of Dutch Language and Literature.^[3]

Works

A bibliography of his writings was published in 1971 to mark his 70th birthday.^[4] It enumerates 286 items.^[3] His most important works are:

• Scholastiek Lexicon, Latijn-Nederlandsch (1937)
• Het Nederlandsche mystieke proza (1944)
• De Nederlandsche mystieke poëzie (1946)
• Geschiedenis van de vroomheid in de Nederlanden (4 vols., 1950–1960)
• Inkeer (1967)
• Inleiding tot een geschiedenis van de mystiek in de Nederlanden (1967)
• Bibliotheca Dominicana Neerlandica manuscripta 1224-1500 (1970)
• "Waartoe mystiek?", Verslagen en mededelingen van de Koninklijke Academie voor Nederlandse taal- en letterkunde (1972), pp. 132-138.

Notes and References

1. [André Demedts]
2. https://www.dbnl.org/tekst/_vla016197701_01/_vla016197701_01_0042.php Wij huldigen / wij gedenken
3. [A.A. Keersmaekers]
4. Stephanus G. Axters, O.P.: bibliografie (1922-1971) (Ghent, Koninklijke Vlaamse academie voor taal- en letterkunde, 1971).