Centrum in Haarlem, North Holland, Netherlands — Northwestern Europe

Dirck Volkertszoon Coornhert

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 3, 2026

1. Dirck Volkertszoon Coornhert Marker

Inscription. Click to hear the inscription.

Hier was van 1561 tot 1565 de drukkerij gevestigd van de veelzijdige Haarlemse humanist Dirck Volckhertszoon Coornhert (1522-1590), strijder voor vrijheid en tolerantie.

(From 1561 to 1565, this was the location of the printing house of the versatile Haarlem humanist Dirck Volckhertszoon Coornhert (1522–1590), a champion of freedom and tolerance.)

Erected 2018 by Stichting Coornhertjaar Haarlem.

Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Arts, Letters, Music • Communications. A significant historical year for this entry is 1561.

Location. 52° 22.9′ N, 4° 38.194′ E. Marker is in Haarlem, Noord-Holland (North Holland). It is in Centrum. It is at the intersection of Grote Markt and Smedestraat, on the left when traveling east on Grote Markt. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: Grote Markt 17, Haarlem, Noord-Holland 2011 GM, Netherlands. Touch for directions.

Regionally, it is in Europe,

the European Union,

Atlantic Europe,

the Benelux Low Countries,

the Schengen Area,

Western Europe,

and the Western World.

Historically, it finds itself in what was once the Roman Empire

and specifically also the Holy Roman Empire.

Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker: Hoofdwacht / Civic Guard Headquarters (here, next to this marker); Langt Vlaamse Wegen - Haarlem / Along Flemish Paths in Haarlem

Paid Advertisement

Click or scan to see
this page online

(within shouting distance of this marker); Vishal / "Fish Hall" (within shouting distance of this marker); Vleeshal / Meat Market (within shouting distance of this marker); ‘The Hiding Place’ (about 90 meters away, measured in a direct line); Stadhuis / City Hall (about 90 meters away); May 8 1945 / 8 Mei 1945 (about 120 meters away); Site of Former Synagogue (about 180 meters away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Haarlem.

Related markers. Click here for a list of markers that are related to this marker.

Also see . . . Dirck Coornhert (Wikipedia). Excerpt:

Dirck Volckertszoon Coornhert (1522 – 29 October 1590), also known as Theodore Cornhert, was a Dutch writer, philosopher, translator, politician, theologian, and artist. Coornhert is often considered the Father of Dutch Renaissance scholarship.

After learning Latin in 1552, Coornhert published Dutch translations from Cicero, Seneca and Boethius. His 1562 translation of the first twelve books of Homer's Odyssey is one of the first major works of Dutch Renaissance poetry. He was appointed secretary to the city of Haarlem (1562) and secretary to the burgomasters (1564).
Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 3, 2026

2. Dirck Volkertszoon Coornhert Marker - wide view
Throwing himself into the struggle against Spanish rule, he drew up the manifesto of William the Silent, Prince of Orange (1566).

Imprisoned at the Hague in 1568, he escaped to Cleves, where he maintained himself by his art. Recalled in 1572, he was for a short time secretary of state in the Dutch Republic; his aversion to military violence led him to return to Cleves, where William continued to employ his services and his pen. Possibly inspired by his time in jail, he wrote a book, Boeventucht, on the causes of crime with ideas for more humane methods of punishment and correction.

(Submitted on June 11, 2026.)

Dirck Volkertszoon Coornhert Marker - wider view image. Click for full size.

Photographed by Andrew Ruppenstein, June 3, 2026

3. Dirck Volkertszoon Coornhert Marker - wider view

Credits. This page was last revised on June 11, 2026. It was originally submitted on June 11, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California. This page has been viewed 5 times since then. Photos: 1, 2, 3. submitted on June 11, 2026, by Andrew Ruppenstein of Lamorinda, California.