The Dutch writer Nicolaas Beets (1814-1903) became famous as the author of the book Camera Obscura, a volume with sketches and stories, published in 1839 under the pseudonym Hildebrand. The book was published at the time when he had just finished his studies and started working as a vicar. Even though Beets had published much since then, especially ‘vicar poetry’, his name has continued to be connected to Camera Obscura, even up to today. The book remained popular throughout the nineteenth century. When in 1892 the magazine De Nederlandsche Spectator (The Dutch Spectator) asked its readers which book they liked most, Beets’ Camera Obscura came first by far. When, a 110 years later, the Maatschappij der Nederlandse Letterkunde (the Dutch equivalent of the Royal Society of London) sent out a similar questionnaire, the Camera Obscura ended up in sixth position.

Beets was born in 1814 in Haarlem. When in 1833 he went to Leiden to study theology, he had already had his first work published. From John Ingram Lockart, a British friend from his youth, he had learned English. Together they read the poems of Lord Byron and devoured the popular historical novels of Walter Scott; throughout his life Beets would have a high regard for both these authors. Most of his contemporaries could only read Byron and Scott in translation. Thus, by the time Beets had arrived in Leiden, he was as far as literature is concerned no novice.

In Leiden Beets occupied himself not just with theological issues. During the six years of his stay he was also involved in literary activities. He published in yearbooks, corresponded with authors and was on the editorial board of the Studentenalmanak (Student Yearbook). He was one of the driving forces behind the Rederijkerskamer voor Uiterlijke Welsprekendheid (The Chamber of Rhetoric for External Eloquence). Because of the students’ admiration for authors like Byron and Victor Hugo the society was called the Romantic Club.1 During the years 1833 to 1836 Beets became more and more preoccupied with Lord Byron. Though in later years he distanced himself from his ‘black period’, this was the time when he made his mark nationally. By the end of his student years, already a famous poet at the time, his Camera Obscura was published, the book that would bring him the most fame.