Coornhert, Dirck Volckertszoon

Coornhert, Dirck Volckertszoon (dûrk vôl`kərtzōn kôrn`hârt), 1522–90, Dutch humanist. His translation (1561) of the first 12 books of the Odyssey is considered the first major poetic work of the Dutch Renaissance. Coornhert also translated Cicero, Boccaccio, Seneca, and Boethius. His comedies, morality plays, and a philosophical treatise (1586) express his stoic and humanistic ideas. Coornhert, who had witnessed the methods of the Inquisition, was an active supporter of religious tolerance; his pamphlet (1585) on this subject led to his imprisonment and exile. He eventually returned to Holland and died at Gonda.