Anton van Wilderode


Cyriel Paul Coupé was a Belgian diocesan priest, teacher, writer and poet, also known by the pseudonym Anton van Wilderode.

Life

Coupé was born in Moerbeke-Waas on 28 June 1918. He was ordained as a priest on 21 May 1944 in the Diocese of Ghent. He graduated in Classical philology at the Catholic University of Leuven. From 1946 until his retirement in 1982, he worked as a teacher in Sint-Niklaas at the St. Joseph Minor Seminary. Among his pupils were Paul Snoek and Tom Lanoye.
He made his literary debut in 1939, with the short story Dis al in the magazine Nederland. His debut as a poet followed in 1943, with the collection of poems De moerbeitoppen ruischten. He was cofounder of the magazine Podium. In 1947, he became editor of Dietsche Warande en Belfort. He wrote many poems for special occasions and meetings, such as for the yearly pilgrimages to the IJzertoren, and screenplays for television. His poetry is characterised by the usage of a traditional poetic form and a clear language, combined with a romantic style.
Anton van Wilderode died in Sint-Niklaas on 15 June 1998.

Writings