Professor Lydia van Niekerk is born

Updated: 30 Sep 2019

Lydia van Niekerk, professor of Dutch Literature and first woman to be appointed to the chair at the University of Stellenbosch, was born on the farm Diepkloof, district Uitenhage. Van Niekerk studied at the universities of Leyden and Amsterdam in the Netherlands. On her return to South Africa after obtaining a D.Litt et Phil degree, she lectured at the Huguenot University College in Wellington. In 1920 she was offered a professorship at the University of Stellenbosch, where she worked until her death on 2 November 1929. Van Niekerk was an important literary critic and an authority on literary subjects.

How we know this

01Wallis, F. (2000). Nuusdagboek: feite en fratse oor 1000 jaar, Kaapstad: Human & Rousseau Potgieter, D.J. et al. (eds)(1970). Standard Encyclopaedia of Southern Africa, Cape Town: NASOU, v. 11.

Last updated · 30 Sep 2019

Cite this entry

South African History Online. (2011, March 16). Professor Lydia van Niekerk is born. South African History Online. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011103

South African History Online (2011) 'Professor Lydia van Niekerk is born', South African History Online, 16 March. Available at: https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011103 (Accessed: 12 November 2026).

South African History Online, Professor Lydia van Niekerk is born [website], https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011103, (accessed 12 November 2026).

"Professor Lydia van Niekerk is born." South African History Online, 16 Mar. 2011, https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011103. Accessed 12 Nov. 2026.

South African History Online. "Professor Lydia van Niekerk is born." South African History Online. March 16, 2011. https://sahistory.org.za/ref/E-0011103.