Who could have imagined a preacher creating an encyclopedia? Here at the Anthony Winkler Prins Sculpture, we celebrate just such a man. The sculpture commemorates Anthony Winkler Prins, the driving force behind the famous Winkler Prins Encyclopedie. He wasn’t just a man of the cloth. He was a writer, poet, and a key figure in Veendam’s intellectual and social growth. Anthony Winkler Prins, born in 1817, was more than the editor of a renowned encyclopedia. He was a Mennonite pastor, serving in Tjalleberd and later in Veendam. His life here in Veendam, from 1850 to 1882, is where he truly made his mark. The Anthony Winkler Prins Sculpture reminds us of his multifaceted contributions.
The sixteen volumes of the “Geïllustreerde Encyclopedie,” the first edition of the Winkler Prins, were published between 1870 and 1882 while he was a pastor in Veendam. Imagine balancing the duties of a pastor with the rigorous demands of compiling an encyclopedia! He even continued revisions after his retirement. Beyond his literary pursuits, Winkler Prins played a pivotal role in Veendam. He championed education. He advocated for better schools, including a high school, a Latin school for girls, and a teacher training college. He even co-founded a Masonic lodge and a tramway company. This sculpture serves as a testament to his dedication and vision.
Winkler Prins’s energy was legendary. He wrote for newspapers, composed poems, and translated scientific works. He even skated from Lisse to Leiden and back at the age of 78! He was a true Renaissance man, constantly engaged with the world around him. A poignant detail reveals his deep connection to Veendam. A note discovered after his death requested that his passing be announced only in the local Veendam newspaper. Although initially buried in Voorburg, he and his wife were later reinterred in Veendam in 2005. This Anthony Winkler Prins Sculpture stands as a tribute to his remarkable life, a life that intertwined faith, intellect, and community development. His legacy continues to inspire, reminding us of the power of one individual to shape a town and contribute to the world of knowledge.