Johannes Kinker
Appointed Professor of Dutch Literature by William I when the University of Liège was founded, Johannes Kinker was rector from 1828-1829. He succeeded Jean-Gérard-Joseph Ernst, rector for the second time in 1827-1828.
Born and died near Amsterdam, Johannes Kinker (1764-1845) inaugurated in Liège a long tradition of scholars dedicated to the study of philology. After studying at Weesp, he enrolled in medicine at Utrecht University, while taking part in the activities of a Society of Young Poets. He published his first collection of poems in 1786, which earned him a lawsuit for indecency. Leaving medicine behind, he opted for law, obtaining his utriusque juris diploma in 1787. Practicing at the bar in The Hague, he devoted much of his time to publishing articles in satirical journals. Returning to Amsterdam, Kinker turned increasingly to poetic writing. He also wrote a number of plays, including two allegorical dramas, Het Eeuwfest (1801) and Tafereel der jongste lotgevallen van Europa (1802), in praise of Napoleon, although this did not prevent him from later waxing lyrical about the erection of the Kingdom of the Netherlands.
An avid reader of Kant, he endeavored to disseminate his thought in Holland, exposing himself to epic controversies with other philosophers (Nieuhoff, Feith). A translator of Schiller, Kinker also transposed the text of Haydn's cantatas and showed an interest in music theory, notably with his Réflexions sur la musique des Grecs. He then turned his attention to declamation techniques, before embarking on the study of linguistics, with the intention of formulating a genuine philosophical theory of language.
From 1815 to 1817, he passionately expressed his political ideals in his journal De Herhaauwer (The Ruminant). This earned him the esteem of William I and a position as professor of Dutch literature at the University of Liège (1817). There, he founded the Tandem society, to encourage Walloon students to discover the language and culture of the Netherlands. Rector in 1828-1829, he was challenged by the patriots of Liège in 1830 and forced to return to Holland, much to the regret of many of his students, to whom he had given private lessons in philosophy and natural law in addition to his official courses.
In addition to his literary and journalistic output, his numerous publications testify to the breadth of his erudition and intellectual curiosity in philology, linguistics, aesthetics and Kantian philosophy.
Go to : Antoine-Nicolas-Joseph Ernst
Illustration :Jan Cornelis van Rossum, Johannes Kinker (1764-1845), Dutch poet & professor in Liege (Belgium). Collection Rijksmuseum Amsterdam, SK-A-2874. Memory of the Netherlands / Rijksmuseum Amsterdam
In December 1830, a decree stipulated that any Belgian could sit university exams, and that the exclusive use of Latin for courses and exams was suspended. But faculties were abolished in the universities created by William of Orange. The University of Liège lost its Faculty of Philosophy and Letters. This was the first step towards a single state university for the whole of Belgium, as desired by the provisional government. The universities fought back, and free faculties were established, which were soon recognized.
In July 1831, Philippe Lesbroussart was commissioned by Minister Teichmann to draw up a draft organic law to rationalize university education. He proposed the establishment of a single state university, with Liège having only the Faculty of Sciences. The project was rejected, but the government did not really bury it for several years. Taking advantage of the situation, a Catholic university was set up in Mechelen and another of liberal and Masonic obedience, known as the Free University, in Brussels.
