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Peter van Gestel

1937 – 2019

Dutch writer

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About Peter van Gestel

Lived 1937 – 2019 (aged 81). Peter van Gestel was a Dutch writer, screenwriter and children's writer.

Peter van Gestel (3 August 1937, Amsterdam – 1 March 2019, Amsterdam) was a Dutch writer.

Career

Writing

Van Gestel made his debut in 1962 with Drempelvrees, a collection of stories. In 1976, he published the book Ver van huis under the pseudonym Sander Joosten. He made his debut in children's literature with Schuilen onder je schooltas in 1979. He received the Vlag en Wimpel award for this book. He became the first to be awarded these three awards for a single book. Winterijs tells the story of a ten year old living in Amsterdam in the winter of 1947 developing a friendship with a Jewish boy. The story is inspired by van Gestel's brother's friendship with a Jewish boy when both were also ten years old.

Radio, television and film

In 1986, he adapted the book Het wassende water (1925) written by Herman de Man to television. The idea to adapt the book to television came from van Gestel's experience as dramaturge for Anton Quintana's radio play also based on the same book.

Death

Van Gestel died in March 2019.

Awards

1961 – Reina Prinsen Geerligsprijs, Drempelvrees 1980 – Vlag en Wimpel, Schuilen onder je schooltas 1982 – Vlag en Wimpel, Joost, of De domme avonturen van een slim jongetje 1985 – Zilveren Griffel, Uit het leven van Ko Kruier 1987 – Nienke van Hichtum-prijs, Ko Kruier en zijn stadsgenoten 1989 – Vlag en Wimpel, OEF van de mensen 1995 – Vlag en Wimpel, Prinses Roosje 1995 – Vlag en Wimpel, Lieve Claire 1998 – Gouden Uil, Mariken 1998 – Jonge Gouden Uil, Mariken 1998 – Zilveren Griffel, Mariken 2000 – Vlag en Wimpel, Slapen en schooieren 2000 – nomination Gouden Uil, Slapen en schooieren 2002 – Gouden Griffel, Winterijs 2002 – Woutertje Pieterse Prijs, Winterijs 2003 – Nienke van Hichtum-prijs, Winterijs 2004 – nomination Gouden Uil, Die dag aan zee 2006 – Theo Thijssen-prijs, entire oeuvre

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Important facts

Birth century
Education
Academy of Theatre and Dance, Dutch Radio Union
Awards
Gouden Griffel; Zilveren Griffel; Woutertje Pieterse prize; Theo Thijsen Award; Nienke van Hichtum-prijs; Reina Prinsen Geerligs prize; Staatsprijs voor kinder- en jeugdliteratuur; Gouden Uil Jeugdliteratuur

People in Peter van Gestel's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Peter van Gestel's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Peter van Gestel?

Dutch writer (1937–2019)

When was Peter van Gestel born?

Peter van Gestel was born on 3 August 1937 in Amsterdam.

When did Peter van Gestel die?

Peter van Gestel died on 1 March 2019 in Amsterdam.

What was Peter van Gestel's occupation?

Peter van Gestel was a writer, screenwriter and children's writer.

What nationality was Peter van Gestel?

Peter van Gestel was Dutch.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Peter van Gestel

· Wikidata: Q1713708

· DBpedia: Peter van Gestel

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Peter van Gestel. https://biography.guide/peter-van-gestel/

MLA: "Peter van Gestel." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/peter-van-gestel/.

Chicago: "Peter van Gestel." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/peter-van-gestel/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

Portrait: Wikimedia Commons · author & licence

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