THIJM, JOSEPHUS ALBERTUS. - Dutch publicist, b. in Amsterdam on 8 July 1820, d. there on 17 March 1889.
Having soon abandoned commerce for journalism, in 1842 he began to make a name for himself as an art and literary critic for the Spectator, and within a few years became one of the most esteemed writers of his time. He founded and edited the periodical Dietsche Warande (1855-88) and from 1852 until his death annually compiled a widely circulated popular Almanac, waging an unceasing and splendid battle in defense of Dutch Catholicism, faithful to the motto he had chosen: «Nihil nisi per Christum». Thanks to his efforts, Dutch Catholics regained awareness of their strength and rights, which had been trampled upon since the time of the Protestant Reformation, and were able to witness the restoration of the Catholic hierarchy through the work of Pius IX in March 1853. T. also secured the return of the metropolitan see to Utrecht, so that the historical traditions of the Dutch Church might be respected.
'Thiers, Adolphe - Portrait. Engraving by Hopwood.
Apart from a French-language historical-critical survey, De la littérature néerlandaise, his other works appeared in German or Dutch. Among them are cited: Het Voorgeburchte, Palet en Harp, Verspreide Verhalen, Karolingische Verhalen, Kerstliederen and Die heilige Linie. He also edited the tragedies of Joost van den Vondel (1587-1679), prefacing them with an essay on the great playwright (Portretten van J. Van den V.), perhaps his finest work as a literary critic.
PETRUS PAULUS, brother of the foregoing, b. in Amsterdam on 21 Oct. 1827, d. at Louvain on 1 Feb. 1904. He devoted himself to historical studies and taught at the Lyceum of Maastricht before moving on to teach Dutch literature at the University of Louvain. There, after the death of Joseph Albert, he took over the editorship of the Dietsche Warande, which he continued to direct until his final days, while also promoting a revival of Catholic art in Belgium and the Netherlands. Among his works are a monumental biography of St. Willibrord (De heilige Willibrord, Apostel der Nederlanden, 1867); a study of Charles the Fat and his age (Karel de Groote en zijne eeuw, 1866); a Sketch of Universal History (in Dutch, 1870), inspired by a providential view of events; an Outline of Dutch Literature (in Dutch, 1877); and a History of Industry in Belgium from the Age of Charles the Fat to the 16th Century (in Dutch, 1883).